PRESS RELEASE

September 15, 2006

Precious Vietnamese paintings successfully preserved with U.S. Government funding

The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is pleased to announce the successful completion of the project to preserve two famous Vietnamese traditional lacquer paintings.  This conservation project, funded with a US$20,000 grant by the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation was implemented from October 2005 through July 2006 by experts at the museum and a number of traditional artists appointed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture and Information.

The paintings - “Hoi chua” (Buddhist Festival) painted by Le Quoc Loc in 1939, and “Bac Nam mot nha” (North and South under One Roof) painted by Nguyen Van Ty in 1961 - are considered a national treasure and the most typical of Vietnam’s 20th century lacquer paintings.  However, they were damaged due to the harsh climate (heat and humidity), poor maintenance and poor handling facilities.  After 10 months of preservation work, the two paintings regain the original aesthetic value and the consolidation which help to lengthen their life.

The U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is proud to be the prime contributor to this important project enabling the Fine Arts Museum to preserve part of Vietnam’s most outstanding cultural heritage that has both cultural and historical significance.  The contribution also demonstrates American respect for Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) was established by the U.S. Department of State in 2001 to help less developed countries preserve cultural heritage and to demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures.  In Financial Year 2006, the AFCP awarded grants worth $2.8 million to 87 projects in 76 countries.  To date, the AFCP has supported 292 projects totaling $6.7 million, including several projects in Vietnam.

NOTE TO REPORTERS:  A ceremony will be held on September 18 to mark the successful completion of the project and unveil the preserved paintings.  Reporters are invited to attend the event.  Date: Monday, September 18, 2006.  Time: 2:00 p.m.  Location: Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, #66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi.

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