On June 26, the Ministry of Finance submitted a report to the Government leaders detailing the results of the overall inspection of the management of donation money and sponsorship at historical and cultural relics nationwide in 2023.

According to data reported by localities, Vietnam currently has 31,211 historical and cultural relics. As many as 15,324 relics have data on revenue and expenditure of donations and sponsorships.

The total actual revenue in 2023 is 4,100 billion VND, excluding donations and sponsorships in kind, construction works, and donations for religious activities.

Revenue from relics that are belief establishments amounted to 3,062 billion VND (75%). Among these, 63 relics reported revenue exceeding 5 billion VND, with 28 relics exceeding 10 billion VND. Notably, 7 relics reported revenue over 25 billion VND, including:

- Ba Chua Xu Temple in Chau Doc, An Giang (220 billion VND)

- Bao Ha Temple in Bao Yen, Lao Cai (71 billion VND)

- Con Dao Prison Historical Relic Site in Ba Ria-Vung Tau (34 billion VND)

- Song Son Temple in Bim Son, Thanh Hoa (28 billion VND)

- Hung Temple in Phu Tho (26 billion VND)

- La Khe Communal House in Hanoi (28 billion VND)

- Ngu Nhac Temple in Huong Pagoda, Hanoi (33 billion VND)

Revenue from relics that are religious establishments was 1,038 billion VND (25%). Fifteen relics reported revenue over 5 billion VND, including:

- Tranh Pagoda in Ninh Giang District, Hai Duong Province (10.2 billion VND)

- Tam Xa Pagoda in Dong Anh, Hanoi (10 billion VND)

- Ong Pagoda in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai (14.2 billion VND)

- Hoa Hao Buddhist Representative Board of Ca Mau province (14.4 billion VND)

The report highlights that seven provinces and cities collected over 200 billion VND, including:

- Hanoi (672 billion VND)

- Hai Duong (278 billion VND)

- An Giang (277 billion VND)

- Bac Ninh (269 billion VND)

- Hung Yen (242 billion VND)

- Nam Dinh (215 billion VND)

Quang Ninh, designated for pilot inspection, reported over 67 billion VND in revenue in the first 4 months of 2023, with an annual estimate exceeding 200 billion VND.

Nine provinces and cities collected between 100 billion and 200 billion VND, including:

- Hai Phong (183 billion VND)

- Thai Binh (169 billion VND)

- Vinh Phuc (127 billion VND)

- Bac Giang (122 billion VND)

- Phu Tho (119 billion VND)

- Lao Cai (116 billion VND)

- Nghe An (115 billion VND)

- Ninh Binh (110 billion VND)

- Thanh Hoa (105 billion VND)

The report states that the total expenditure of donation money in 2023 was 3,612 billion VND, with some localities spending more than they collected due to using carry-over balances from 2022.

Expenditures included:

- Management: 445 billion VND (12%)

- Festival activities: 692 billion VND (19%)

- Relic restoration and embellishment: 1,643 billion VND (46%)

- Propaganda, security, fire prevention, environmental protection, renovation, and auxiliary construction: 542 billion VND (15%)

- Charity and humanitarian activities: 290 billion VND (8%), including support for students, disaster victims, house construction for poor households, and rural road building.

The Ministry of Finance acknowledged that the donation and sponsorship funds at historical and cultural relics play a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the country.

However, the Ministry noted that the reported data only partially reflects the true revenue and expenditure. Approximately 31% of religious relics, equivalent to 1,771 sites, did not report their financial activities.

Additionally, the Ministry highlighted issues such as improper money collection practices at some temples and pagodas, lack of transparency in handling donations, and instances of money being given to individuals for safekeeping or loaned out, leading to potential loss and theft.

The Ministry of Finance urged stricter management and transparency in the use of donation and sponsorship funds to prevent misuse and ensure the proper maintenance and development of relics.

Luong Bang