The Norwegian Royal Family is to fund a floating cultural center in Cua Van fishing village in Quang Ninh province of Vietnam. This 420 sq. m center is a component of the Ha Long Bay Eco-museum project and was built at a cost of US$410,000.
The centre is designed as a venue for the collection, research and display of cultural values as well as traditional customs and festivals of local fishing villages, thus encouraging the participation of the local residents in conserving Ha Long Bay – a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – recognized World Heritage Site.
Present at the inauguration ceremony, held by the Ha Long Bay Management Board on May 19, were Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Kjell Storlokken, UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Chu Shiu Kee, and Vice President of the International Council of Museums and chief advisor of the project Prof. Dr. Amareswar Galla.
The management board has so far collected 1,500 photos and nearly 100 objects, created documents and introductions for 33 intangible cultural forms, and participated in the production of five documentaries about the Cua Van fishing village.
