The role of museums in the preservation of living heritage: experiences of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

The author stresses the high respect that the VietnamMuseum of Ethnology (VME) has for cultural diversity, asseen in its approaches to the following three areas: people,space, and time. The VME has given priority first andforemost to the representation of everyday life ? problems,stories, and concerns of peoples and of ethnic communities. The Museum s role as a research and educationalinstitution, as well as a body that appreciates and supportsthe intangible value of crafts are shown in two researchcase studies: learning to make pottery in the classroom forchildren, and giving voices to craft artisans in a photovoiceproject. The author also addresses current challenges ofthe VME, especially as it expands its research and displaypolicies to include the cultures and daily life of ethnicpeoples in other Southeast Asian Countries.