People visit Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Khánh Hoà

The inspection by the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will exclude donations used for religious activities in temples and pagodas.

The inspection results must be reported to the Prime Minister in the second quarter of this year.

The historical and cultural relics, temples and pagodas in the north-eastern province of Quảng Ninh will be under inspection first.

Regarding the management of donated money, the Ministry of Finance previously issued Circular No 04/2023/TT-BTC guiding the management, financial collection and expenditure for festival organisation and donated money, sponsorship for historical and cultural relics and festival activities. The circular is set to take effect from March 19, 2023.

Money donated to historical and cultural relics and festival activities include those from organisations and individuals to protect and promote the relic values and festival. Donations include money (by cash and transfer), precious metals and gems, according to regulations of the State Bank of Việt Nam.

The circular already regulates the management, collection and expenditure of donated money.

Historical and cultural relics, temples and pagodas have to open a deposit account at the State Treasury or a commercial bank to record the receipt, management and use of the donated money in the form of bank transfers.

In the form of cash receipts, the historical and cultural relics, temples and pagodas were told to appoint one person to receive and record the full amount of donated money periodically. Money in donation boxes must be counted daily or weekly. — VNS