Ms Lan completed the paintings after more than five months of research and hard work.

The director of the Museum, Le Ma Luong, said that this is the first time his museum has received such sophisticated and significant items.

Ms Lan added that she and her colleagues will begin work on 14 large-sized sand paintings depicting the country’s history from the dynasty of King Ly Cong Uan to the day of national reunification in 1975.

These new works are expected to be finished in May, 2010, to coincide with Hanoi’s 1000^th anniversary celebrations.