Known as the Avalo-kitesvara Scroll, the painting was brought to Japan by a Chaya family ship 400 years ago and was safeguarded as a national treasure at Jomyo Temple in Japan 's Nagoya City.

It is said that the painting was given to a Japanese trader, Araki Sataro of Chaya, by Lord Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, who ruled the southern part of Vietnam between 1614 and 1635.

The painting was returned to the Tam Thai Pagoda on February 23 when a group of monks from Jomyo Temple visited Da Nang.

According to Japanese monk Hayashi Kyoichy, head of Jomyo Temple, the return of the painting to the pagoda symbolised the close and long-lasting relationship between the two countries.

Tam Thai is located on Thuy Son Mountain, 13km from Da Nang . The pagoda was built in 1630 at a time when the coastal town of Hoi An had just been established as a trade centre.

The pagoda has a stele recording the contributions made by Japanese traders in the construction of local pagodas.

Jomyo Temple also possesses a 78cm by 498cm water-colour painting which depicts activities of Japanese traders in Hoi An at the beginning of the 17th century.