The event was organized in response to International Museum Day under this year’s theme, “Museums for unity in a divided world,” to highlight the value of cultural heritage and reaffirm cooperation between the two institutions.

At the opening ceremony, museum director Le Thi Thu Trang said the event offered an opportunity to reflect on years of cooperation between the museum and EFEO in researching, preserving and promoting Cham cultural heritage, while exploring new areas for future cooperation.

Presentations at the seminar examined EFEO’s role in archaeological research and heritage preservation in Vietnam, along with the formation and development of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Topics included EFEO’s mission in Vietnam in the early 20th century, its pioneering role in establishing museum and library systems and carrying out archaeological excavations in Vietnam from 1900 to 1954, as well as the formation of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and the role of Henri Parmentier, from the Tourane Sculpture Garden to the establishment of the Henri Parmentier Museum through the efforts of French and Vietnamese scholars.

Experts also discussed archival gaps and plans to supplement materials for the museum, along with the restoration of Cham sandstone sculptures between 2001 and 2010.

During the event, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and EFEO announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation for the 2026-2028 period. The partnership focuses on research, academic exchanges, supplementing archival materials and developing exhibition content, helping strengthen international cooperation in preserving and promoting Cham cultural heritage.

The museum also introduced a photo exhibition titled “From the Tourane Sculpture Garden to the Henri Parmentier Museum,” featuring more than 40 archival photographs from EFEO collections tracing the museum’s development from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

Separately, the Da Nang Museum, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut and the Max Planck Society, opened the science exhibition “Universe - Humans - Intelligence” (UMI) later the same day.

The exhibition introduces visitors to German scientific advances while creating an interactive space to explore major contemporary questions related to the universe, humanity and artificial intelligence.

Launched in Germany in 2021, the UMI STEM exhibition has traveled to several cities across Europe and Asia. After being held in Hanoi in March and April 2026, Da Nang became the exhibition’s second stop in Vietnam before it continues to Ho Chi Minh City.

Cham sculpture catalogue launched in Da Nang

A catalogue comprising new photographs of the world’s leading collection of Cham sculpture was launched in central Da Nang city on December 21.