Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts

Role and Responsibility

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
fulfills the following functions:

1. Lead and manage the culture and fine arts sector of the Kingdom of Cambodia, including:

  • Prepare, monitor, and implement legal normative documents, policies, strategic plans, and action plans to conserve and develop national culture.
  • Maintain, protect, repair, restore, and enhance the value of national cultural heritage.
  • Promote the dissemination and utilization of cultural potential and the development of cultural and creative industries to contribute to socio-economic development.
  • Strengthen the implementation of laws and legal normative documents related to the cultural sector in protecting, maintaining, and promoting national cultural heritage, as well as taking measures and preventing the destruction and illegal trafficking of cultural properties, and all activities that affect the arts, culture, customs, and fine traditions of the nation.
  • Gather reports on the protection of national cultural heritage and demand the return of national cultural properties that have been stolen and illegally possessed both domestically and abroad.
  • Strengthen and expand international cooperation in the culture and fine arts sector, as well as manage and monitor the implementation of international treaties, conventions, agreements, and instruments.

2- Manage, collaborate, and coordinate education, training, and research in the culture and fine arts sector, including:

  • Educate and train human resources in the culture and fine arts sector at primary, secondary technical, and higher education levels.
  • Develop curricula and strengthen mechanisms for the transfer of cultural knowledge and training in ancestral vocational skills.
  • Promote education and mainstream awareness of national heritage, culture, and fine arts to participate in cultivating the ideal of national pride.
  • Manage and collaborate with national and international institutions in study, research, and document compilation of a scientific, technological, and innovative nature.
  • Research, compile documents, and register the inventory of national cultural heritage and general cultural properties into the data management system.
  • Research and prepare document compilations requesting the inscription of national cultural heritage into UNESCO’s lists and regional lists of other international institutions.

3- Implement other duties as assigned by the Head of the Royal Government.

Roles and Duties of Subordinate Under The Ministry

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat consists of 07 subordinate departments with the following duties:

  • Department of Administration

    The Department of Administration has the following duties:

    • Manage the administrative sector and coordinate the administrative status of all sectors of the Ministry
    • Manage and circulate various documents of the Ministry that the department is in charge of
    • Ensure administrative efficiency, security, and manage the social work of the Ministry
    • Prepare and manage security, public order, environment, and aesthetics of the Ministry
    • Take charge of coordinating and managing protocol work, organizing meetings, and various programs of the Ministry
    • Coordinate the preparation, development, and management of digital systems to support and ensure the effective operation of units under the Ministry
    • Manage, repair, and maintain buildings, furniture, office supplies, electrical, electronic, and information technology equipment of the units directly under the Ministry’s cabinet
    • Manage state garages and vehicles assigned to the Ministry
    • Collect, compile, manage, and maintain all documents and data of the Ministry
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of Human Resources

    The Department of Human Resources has the following duties:

    • Manage civil servants, officials based on work agreements, contracted officials, and other officials of the Ministry, such as recruitment, probation, changes in official status, promotion of grade and rank, appointment, transfer, termination of duty, disciplinary action, retirement, loss of professional fitness, and awarding of decorations
    • Prepare all administrative letters for managing the civil servant framework of the Ministry
    • Prepare the framework and human resources plan of the Ministry
    • Study, research, prepare, and implement the strategic plan for human resources and institutional development of the Ministry
    • Prepare salaries, remunerations, and various allowance regimes
    • Prepare and implement a performance-based management system, as well as financial and non-financial incentive systems, and disciplinary sanctions
    • Collaborate in preparing training, monitoring the implementation, and evaluating the training of the Ministry’s civil servants
    • Prepare and maintain the individual files of the Ministry’s leadership, civil servants, officials based on work agreements, contracted officials, and other officials of the Ministry
    • Prepare statistics on official management and work information tables of officials in the Ministry
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of Finance

    The Department of Finance has the following duties:

    • Prepare, coordinate, summarize, and implement the budget strategic plan
    • Gather, coordinate, summarize, and propose the annual budget project
    • Prepare the quarterly cash revenue and expenditure program
    • Support and coordinate with budget units in budget management
    • Take responsibility for annual revenue and expenditure operations and accounting entries
    • Prepare, manage, and implement the procurement plan
    • Manage real estate, movable property, material inventory, and property inventory at all levels
    • Distribute equipment and fuel to various units under the Ministry
    • Prepare and disburse salaries and social benefits to civil servants under the Ministry
    • Prepare construction, repair, and maintenance projects and programs for structures, buildings, and all types of equipment
    • Prepare annual accounting entries
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of Planning and Statistics

    The Department of Planning and Statistics has the following duties:

    • Prepare and coordinate policies, strategic plans, institutional development plans, and annual operational plans of the Ministry
    • Prepare grants and various concession agreements of the Ministry
    • Study, research, inspect, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the Ministry’s plans
    • Compile and analyze data and statistics to determine action programs and modernize plans
    • Prepare concept documents, strategies, plans, and development programs within the Ministry framework
    • Manage and compile documents on aid projects, collaborative projects, and the status of project implementation
    • Inspect, monitor, and evaluate the results of the public investment program plan implementation
    • Gather, compile, and summarize reports on the Ministry’s work activities monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually
    • Collaborate to provide statistical information to the Ministry of Planning as determined
    • Prepare reports and relevant documents for organizing the Ministry’s congress
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of Legislation

    The Department of Legislation has the following duties:

    • Study, research, draft laws, and various legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector
    • Prepare plans for drafting laws and legal normative documents for the culture and fine arts sector
    • Promote and strengthen the implementation of laws and legal normative documents in the culture and fine arts sector
    • Review, advise, and revise the form and content of draft laws and legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
    • Monitor and evaluate the impact of the implementation of laws and legal normative documents in the culture and fine arts sector
    • Study and review laws and legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector that are not appropriate for social progress, to raise opinions to the Minister and respectfully submit to the Head of the Royal Government to review and decide on making amendments and revisions
    • Gather, compile, print, and archive for research the legal documents and legal normative documents
    • Disseminate laws and legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector at the national and sub-national levels
    • Collaborate in studying with units under the Ministry that require laws or legal normative documents, as well as participate in drafting and organizing meetings or seminars to collect comprehensive inputs
    • Collaborate and coordinate with relevant units in preparing forms and procedures for public service delivery at the national and sub-national levels
    • Collaborate and coordinate legal reform work, judicial system reform and deconcentration work, and other reforms of the Ministry
    • Participate in reviewing and providing opinions on the preparation of draft laws and various legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector initiated by other ministries and institutions
    • Collaborate with units under the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and relevant ministries and institutions in preparing the calendar for drafting laws and various legal normative documents related to the culture and fine arts sector
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of International Cooperation and ASEAN Affairs

    The Department of International Cultural Cooperation has the following duties:

    • Establish communication and cultural cooperation with national institutions, non-governmental organizations, national and international organizations, and ASEAN member countries regionally and globally
    • Prepare and manage all documents of agreements, memorandums of understanding with non-governmental organizations, national and international organizations, and with countries in the region and globally in the culture and fine arts sector
    • Coordinate and prepare the signing of agreements, memorandums of understanding, international protocols with various national and international development partners
    • Inspect, monitor, and promote the implementation of agreements and memorandums of understanding with national and international partners, including promoting successful implementation
    • Coordinate international cooperation and ASEAN affairs
    • Strengthen and expand cooperation with national institutions, non-governmental organizations, national and international organizations, and various diplomatic corps to seek technical, material, or financial assistance that ensures the protection, conservation, and promotion of national culture and intangible culture
    • Coordinate for leaders, civil servants, professors, students, and artists to conduct study tours, attend meetings, and various programs abroad in cultural activities or for other studies
    • Prepare and coordinate formalities for international delegations participating in conferences, meetings, exhibitions, study tours, or other cultural events
    • Prepare protocol formalities, travel documents, and various forms for the Ministry’s delegations going on study tours or participating in other cultural events abroad, and compile report documents for ongoing work
    • Prepare documents and aide-mémoires for working discussions of the leadership with relevant parties within the framework of international cooperation and ASEAN
    • Prepare and coordinate ASEAN cultural cooperation meetings and other international meetings
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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  • The Department of Information Technology and Digital Transformation

    The Department of Information Technology and Digital Transformation has the following duties:

    • Prepare strategic plans, action plans, and digital transformation projects of the Ministry
    • Manage and operate information technology systems and provide digital services that support the daily operational sustainability of units under the Ministry
    • Manage services, internet connection networks, transmit, and store national culture and arts data to ensure the security and order of the information technology system
    • Prepare, develop information technology systems, and coordinate digital transformation work to ensure and support effective operations
    • Build software applications, support digitalization, and digitalization on technology systems
    • Coordinate the preparation and management of the information technology database system networks of relevant units
    • Coordinate in conducting inspections on information technology systems to ensure that standard and cybersecurity principles trends are implemented
    • Coordinate, manage, and maintain equipment and digital connectivity infrastructure within the Ministry as well as of the units under the Ministry
    • Collaborate and coordinate the organization of digital literacy and key digital skills training courses for civil servants under the Ministry
    • Monitor and evaluate the progress of digital transformation work across units under the Ministry
    • Collaborate with inter-ministerial and various relevant institutions on digital transformation work
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Secretary General or the Deputy Secretary General in charge.

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General Directorate of Cultural Technique and Creative Industries

General Directorate of Cultural Technique and Creative Industries consists of 06 subordinate departments with the following duties:

  • Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation

    The Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation has the following duties:

    • Protect and conserve intangible cultural heritage
    • Prepare and update the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage
    • Protect and promote the intangible cultural heritage of communities and relevant individuals
    • Study, research, compile documents on national intangible cultural heritage, and propose their inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
    • Promote the implementation and make mandatory progress reports on all intangible cultural heritage of humanity inscribed on UNESCO’s lists
    • Prepare and coordinate the implementation of the living human treasures system in compiling documents, training, creating works, disseminating, and transferring knowledge, skills, talents, and techniques
    • Study, research, compile documents, and disseminate intangible cultural heritage
    • Study, research, and compile intangible cultural heritage that is in danger of disappearing and that has been lost
    • Compile documents on performing arts, visual arts, and arts and crafts to keep as standards for determining technical norms
    • Collaborate and operate in partnership with the private sector, associations, national and international organizations to conserve and promote intangible cultural heritage
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • Department of Cultural Product Development and Creative Industries

    Department of Cultural Product Development and Creative Industries has the following duties:

    • Manage and prepare mechanisms to promote arts, crafts, and creative cultural products
    • Guide, orient, and manage technical principles to strengthen and elevate the quality in creating new works of cultural products and services
    • Inspect and guide performances, fashion shows of clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry that have creative characteristics based on traditional, artistic, and cultural foundations
    • Promote and update arts, crafts, and artistic cultural product works
    • Promote the use of cultural and creative products and study the market
    • Strengthen and expand the exchange of information, knowledge, experience, techniques, and investment in the cultural sector
    • Prepare and promote participation in various events to disseminate Cambodia’s cultural and creative products both domestically and abroad
    • Strengthen collaboration and coordinate networks of operators and actors to elevate cultural products and arts and crafts
    • Prepare and promote training mechanisms for knowledge and skills to innovators
    • Collaborate and coordinate to promote the establishment of cultural and arts and crafts development centers in communities
    • Coordinate and monitor the implementation of obligations of agreements, conventions, and protocols related to cultural and creative development
    • Uphold the diversity of cultural expressions and promote innovative creation in the culture and arts sector
    • Promote the implementation of the creative economy in the arts and culture sector by collaborating with ministries, institutions, and relevant partners
    • Collaborate in preparing legal normative documents and guidelines in developing creative cultural products and arts and crafts

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  • Department of Performing Arts

    The Department of Performing Arts has the following duties:

    • Manage, maintain, protect, promote, and develop performing arts
    • Study, research, compile documents and standards, produce performing arts works of all forms, and restore performing arts that are facing disappearance
    • Prepare mechanisms to widely disseminate performing arts of all forms both domestically and abroad through live performances and broadcasting across all media platforms
    • Prepare, compile, and update statistical data on performing arts nationwide to be archived as documents
    • Promote and encourage the creation of new works to diversify performing arts forms
    • Organize various national and international cultural events, such as dance performances, theater, traditional and modern music concerts, and performing arts festivals
    • Collaborate to organize short training courses on performing arts skills to strengthen the capacity of artists both within and outside the formal system
    • Inspect, issue licenses, permit performances, and stop any arts performance activities whose content causes the loss of cultural values, Cambodian women’s values, and national and social virtues
    • Communicate and collaborate with national and international partners, the private sector, organizations, and various associations to promote and develop performing arts
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • The Department of Cinema and Cultural Diffusion

    The Department of Cinema and Cultural Diffusion has the following duties:

    • Manage, inspect, and develop the film sector, which is the 7th art in the Kingdom of Cambodia
    • Produce, disseminate, manage, and inspect the cultural sector through images, films, videos, and multimedia in collaboration with relevant ministries
    • Coordinate, lead, and prepare mechanisms and legal normative documents to manage and promote the development of the national film industry
    • Promote, encourage, and orient the production and dissemination of Cambodian culture and arts through films both domestically and abroad
    • Review and issue licenses, permits, broadcasting visas, temporarily suspend, and stop all business operations and services related to the film sector
    • Research, collect, compile, register, and maintain national film heritage documents
    • Lead, coordinate, and support all skills training activities related to the film industry
    • Prevent and take various measures against the dissemination of film and video works that affect traditions, customs, dignity, and national security in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions
    • Communicate and coordinate to promote Cambodian film products to national and international markets
    • Support and encourage production activities, business operations, service provision, and the dissemination of film and video works
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • The Department of Books and Reading

    The Department of Books and Reading has the following duties:

    • Manage, maintain, protect, and promote all archived written works for legal deposit, and manage the National Library, mobile libraries, and various libraries in the capital and provinces
    • Manage and register book publications in Cambodia through the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system
    • Promote and elevate reading, authorship, and manage book publication and dissemination
    • Organize various events to encourage public participation in promoting the book industry
    • Support and encourage authors and publishers of quality books
    • Study, research, and inventory documentary heritage and palm-leaf manuscripts
    • Compile the national bibliography of all publications related to Cambodia
    • Expand services and support the research and studies of students, university students, and the public
    • Review and issue licenses, permits, temporarily suspend, and stop business operations and all services related to the operation of all types of bookstores
    • Collaborate in preparing mechanisms to monitor the implementation of laws, policies, legal normative documents, and guidelines to conserve documentary heritage and develop reading as well as the book industry in Cambodia
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • The Department of Copyright and Related Rights

    The Department of Copyright and Related Rights has the following duties:

    • Prepare legal normative documents and policy programs regarding the copyright and related rights sector in accordance with the evolution of society, economy, technology, and national and international regulatory frameworks
    • Strengthen management mechanisms and law implementation, national policy on intellectual property, as well as online regulations related to technological protection measures (TPM) and rights management information (RMI) to develop the copyright and related rights sector in Cambodia
    • Widely implement copyright and related rights policies to ensure the protection of the interests of rights owners and encourage authors or creators of works to increase the production of products in the cultural sector
    • Collaborate and participate in preparing policies to harmonize the Cambodian copyright system to ensure equitable use aimed at promoting the right to access information, effective and quality education, especially in the digital environment
    • Participate in coordinating, researching, and implementing Cambodia’s obligations as a party to various international conventions, treaties, and agreements related to copyright and related rights
    • Collaborate with relevant units to disseminate various regulations as well as copyright knowledge to the public, authors, artists, law enforcement officers, and other stakeholders
    • Undertake digital technology transformation for providing information and public services to strengthen service quality and develop copyright knowledge in Cambodia
    • Organize events related to copyright and related rights and Intellectual Property Day to exchange experiences in order to promote and develop works and technology
    • Collaborate and coordinate with private partners, competent authorities, courts, national organizations, international organizations, and other stakeholders
    • Mediate copyright and related rights disputes outside the judicial system
    • Manage and coordinate work on business affairs, business licenses, copyright agencies, and collective management organization affairs
    • Provide copyright consultation to the public, lawyers, law enforcement officers, the private sector, and other stakeholders
    • Register works and issue licenses for copyright and related rights services
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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General Directorate of Cultural Heritage

General Directorate of Cultural Heritage consists of 04 subordinate departments with the following duties:

  • Department of Archeology and Prehistory

    Department of Archeology and Prehistory has the following duties:

    • Manage the database system and inventory of cultural property by classifying them into national cultural heritage
    • Collaborate with relevant units in preparing legal normative documents and guidelines in managing the export and import of art objects
    • Collaborate and participate in inspecting and providing permits for the export and import of art objects
    • Study, research, compile documents, preserve, and conserve antiquities
    • Collaborate with units and relevant institutions in educating, disseminating laws and relevant legal documents for the purpose of strengthening the preservation, protection of heritage, and elevating the value of national cultural property
    • Collaborate with national and international ministries, institutions, and relevant authorities to prevent and take measures against offenses of destruction, circulation, and illegal trafficking of antiquities
    • Collaborate and coordinate in claiming the return of Khmer antiquities that have been stolen and illegally possessed both domestically and abroad
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • Department of Museums

    The Department of Museums has the following duties:

    • Manage and collaborate with state museums and private museums of all types across the country
    • Manage, conserve, preserve, restore collections, and promote the enrichment of public collections
    • Study, research, compile documents, register collections, prepare catalogs, and exhibit for public education and dissemination
    • Strengthen the conservation of collections by cooperating with national and international institutions in promoting the development and establishment of museums
    • Collaborate and participate in preparing legal normative documents and guidelines to manage collections and museum operations
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • Department of Department of Heritage Construction Conservation

    The Department of Department of Heritage Construction Conservation has the following duties:

    • Maintain, protect, and restore heritage constructions and manage cultural heritage sites in cooperation with relevant parties.
    • Cooperate with relevant ministries and institutions to inventory and classify heritage constructions and cultural heritage sites.
    • Study, research, compile documentation, and disseminate awareness regarding heritage constructions, historical buildings, and cultural heritage sites.
    • Cooperate in preparing documents to nominate national cultural heritage into regional and world heritage lists of UNESCO or other international institutions.
    • Cooperate with ministries, institutions, local authorities, and relevant partners to prevent and take measures against offenses involving the destruction of heritage constructions, historical buildings, and cultural heritage sites.
    • Cooperate with other units within the framework of the Ministry to ensure efficient and effective work implementation.
    • Manage the administrative, human resource, and financial work of the department within the framework of its duty implementation.
    • Report on the department’s work activities on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, nine-month, and annual basis to the leadership.
    • Execute other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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  • The Department of Antiquities

    The Department of Antiquities has the following duties:

    • Research, locate, inventory, and classify ancient sites and archaeological stations situated above ground, underground, and underwater
    • Conduct archaeological excavations on ancient sites and other locations of importance for understanding society and culture
    • Collaborate and participate in mapping, delineating boundaries, and planting border markers for protected ancient sites
    • Collaborate and participate in inspecting and evaluating all development and investment projects that impact ancient sites to provide opinions to relevant competent institutions
    • Study, analyze, conserve, and restore various specimens obtained from excavations
    • Inspect and register objects and various specimens obtained from excavations before permitting export for analysis abroad
    • Print and publish information books on ancient sites and archaeological excavation results
    • Collaborate with ministries, institutions, local authorities, and relevant partners to prevent and take measures against offenses of destruction of ancient sites
    • Conduct preventive or rescue excavations of locations or heritage areas subject to various development and investment projects
    • Collaborate with other units within the Ministry framework to ensure the implementation of work is efficient and effective
    • Manage administrative, human resources, and financial tasks of the department within the framework of duty implementation
    • Make reports on the work activities of the department monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, nine-months, and annually to the leadership
    • Implement other duties as assigned by the Director General or the Deputy Director General in charge.

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