Associate Professor Olivier Tessier, from the French Institute of Oriental Studies said at a presentation ceremony at the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi on May 20 that the book is an unprecedented study on the material culture of Vietnam from the early 20^th century.

The book comprised two volumes. The first one has 160 pages, including 30 pages of paintings and was translated into Vietnamese, French and English. The second one has 700 pages and over 4,000 pictures, diagrams and paintings.

2,000 copies of the book have been published along with 1,000 DVD.

The book was reprinted with the support of the French Institute of Oriental Studies and the French Embassy in Vietnam to help Vietnam preserve its intangible cultural values.

A seminar on the book and an exhibition of pictures and drawings from the work will be held at the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi.