Hanoi is home to eight new national treasures, among 29 artifacts nationwide that have been designated as national treasures following a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on January 18.
The new national treasures include a 2,000-year-old bronze drum from the Dong Son culture and the gilded An Dan sword of Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1925), which are kept at the Vietnam National History Museum in Hanoi. One national treasure belongs to the private collection of Nguyen Van Kinh: The Kinh Hoa Bronze Jar from the 2nd-3rd century BC.
| An architectural terracotta model from the early Le Dynasty has been declared a national treasure. |
Five other artifacts preserved at the Thang Long-Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre have been awarded the title of National Treasure, including the La de Chim Phuong (Dragon with Bodhi Leaf) terracotta roof tile, an early Le dynasty architectural terracotta model, a pair of stone dragons on the stairs of Thuong Temple (Co Loa Citadel) from the Le Trung Hung (Restored Le) dynasty, the sword in the Tran dynasty (14th century) and palace access cards for imperial maids during the Early Le dynasty.
The city of Haiphong has three new national treasures: Dong Son bronze vases, around the 2nd and 1st centuries BC; brown flower ceramic vases of the 11th and 12th centuries; blue-grey ceramic incense burners under the reign of King Mac Mau Hop, 16th century.
| The Tran Dynasty sword (14th century) is currently preserved in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. |
The northern province of Hai Duong has a treasure set of Three Jewels Buddha statues at Con Son Pagoda, dating back to the reign of the Restored Le Dynasty; woodblocks from Tram Gian Pagoda, 17th-20th centuries; Hiep An brown flower pottery, Tran Dynasty, 13th-14th centuries.
The central province of Ninh Thuan has two treasures: the Phuoc Thien stele from the late 8th-early 9th century and the statue of King Po Klong Garai, the 16th-17th centuries.
Also listed are the Brahma My Son E1 relief sculpture, Shiva My Son statue, and Tra Kieu Apsara relief sculpture in Danang city.
| Terracotta roof tile preserved in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, depicting the symbol of the dragon decorated by the bodhi leaf. |
The title of national treasure has also been awarded to sets of ancient Khanh Son lithophones in Khanh Hoa Province, a collection of golden artifacts from the Oc Eo culture in Tra Vinh Province, a 9th-10th century bas-relief of the goddess Uma in Bac Lieu Province, and others.
Since 2012, a total of 294 objects and groups of artifacts have been declared national treasures.
According to the Law on Cultural Heritage, national treasures are inherited objects with extremely precious, rare, and typical values in terms of history, culture, and/or science. They must be original and unique in appearance, with special value related to a significant event in the country's history or the career of a national hero or outstanding person.
They also include works of art famous for their ideological, humane, or aesthetic values typical of a trend, style, or era. An outstanding invention of high practical value that promotes social development in a particular historical period may be included in the list, as may natural objects that illustrate the formation and development of the earth or nature.
