Vietnam’s royal treasures on display at Hanoi museum
Several invaluable royal treasures of the Nguyen Dynasty that reigned over Vietnam during the 19th and early 20th centuries are now on view at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi.
A total of 22 gold books and 10 gold royal seals are being displayed, a small portion of the 93 gold books of the Nguyen kings, who ruled imperial Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, currently in the possession of the National Museum of Vietnamese History.
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| A gold seal and book crafted during the reign of Emperor Ham Nghi (1884-1885) on display at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi |
Written in the books are records of important events and ceremonies of the royalty.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the collection is an invaluable property of Vietnam that represents an important historical phase in the country’s history.
Each of the artifacts not only carries in it historical value but also depicts the esthetics and craftsmanship of Vietnamese artisans during the period.
This is also the first time items of such significance have been on show for public appreciation.
The exhibition is expected to last until early August.
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| A gold book crafted during the reign of Emperor Gia Long (1802-1820) on show at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A gold book crafted during the reign of Emperor Gia Long (1802-1820) on show at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| The ‘De He Thi’ (Imperial Succession Poem), a poem issued during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1820-1841) dictating how his successors should be named. |
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| Items on display at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A gold seal made during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1820-1841) on show at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A gold book crafted during the reign of Emperor Gia Long (1802-1820) on show at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A visitor appreciates the items on display at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A gold seal crafted during the reign of Emperor Gia Long (1802-1820) on show at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A gold book crafted during the reign of Emperor Ham Nghi (1884-1885) on display at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
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| A chest used to store the gold books on view at the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi. |
