Ancient treasures tell nation’s history and development

A special exhibition featuring national names and the capital cities, along with the associated ancient artefacts during Vietnam’s establishment and development, is open to the public, providing historical documents and material evidence showing the aspirations and will of Vietnamese predecessors for national independence and pride along Vietnam’s 4,000 years of history.

A visitor at the exhibition looks at information describing the crown of the Nguyen Emperor used during the 19th-20th century. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)
A visitor at the exhibition looks at information describing the crown of the Nguyen Emperor used during the 19th-20th century. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

The exhibition, hosted by the Vietnam National Museum of History, opened at the museum at No. 1 Trang Tien street, Hanoi on June 20.

Covering about 600m2, the thematic display introduces about 100 artefacts related to national names and the capital cities, divided into three main contents, including Van Lang and Au Lac (the 7th-3rd century BC) national names during the early period of national construction and defend, the independent feudal monarchy period, and the post-1945 August Revolution period up to now.

The national name is the official name used in diplomatic, legal and trade relations to demonstrate the legitimacy of a dynasty or government. The national name also shows the nationality, territorial sovereignty and political regime in the international arena. Over thousands of years, Vietnam has brought many national names, corresponding to each different period in its history. The setting of the national name of feudal dynasties expresses national pride, with the names such as Van Xuan, Dai Co Viet, Dai Viet, Dai Ngu, Dai Nam and Vietnam. In addition, the selection of lands to place the capital as the political, military, economic and cultural centre of the country in each particular period of history is particularly important.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

The unique and diverse artefacts contain high aesthetic and artistic values, dating from the Dong Son culture (from 1000 BC) until today. They are the documents collected by historians through historical dynasties as well as from the results of archaeological excavation and studies in the ancient capitals of Vietnam.

In particular, on display are UNESCO-recognised Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks and two artefacts - Canh Thinh bronze drum (Tay Son dynasty, 1800 AD) and the seal of "Dai Nam country for generations” - among 20 national treasures currently being kept at the museum.

Canh Thinh bronze drum cast in the 8th year of the Canh Thinh reign, Tay Son dynasty in 1800. (Photo: NDO/Trung Hung)

Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong, Director of Vietnam National Museum of History, emphasised that national names and capital cities are particularly important in national history, helping to determine national sovereignty, asserting national independence in relations with other countries around the world. Inheriting through Vietnam’s long historical periods, the Vietnamese national name - Vietnam - is still used until today.

Through the exhibition, the museum wishes to bring to the public and international friends historical documents and material evidence to express the aspiration and independent will, as well as national pride of Vietnamese predecessors, Dr. Cuong added.

The exhibition is remained open to the public until the end of October.

Following are several documents and artefacts displayed at the exhibition on the theme of Vietnam’s national names and capital cities:

Visitors at the exhibition.

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Stone moulds for arrowheads (2,000-2,500 years ago) found at Co Loa ancient citadel in Hanoi’s Dong Anh district.

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Patterns on Mieu Mon bronze drum (2,000-2,500 years ago) discovered in Hanoi’s My Duc district.

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A column erected by Dinh Lien, the son of King Dinh Tien Hoang in 973 AD, engraved Buddhist pray.

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Woodblock (replica) declaring the settle of Thang Long (Hanoi now) as the capital by King Ly Thai To in 1010 AD, setting the foundation for the over 1,000 year history of Hanoi.

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Animal face from the 10th-11th century found in Hoa Lu ancient capital in Ninh Binh province.

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The “Thai Binh Hung Bao” coins - the first cash coin produced in Vietnam in the 10th century under the reign of Dinh Tien Hoang.

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Decorations from the 11th-13th century found in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi.

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Bricks and stone bullets used during Ho dynasty in the late 14th - early 15th century.

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A visitor looks at a golden dragon statue from the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945).

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The “Dai Nam Thu thien vinh menh truyen quoc ty” (the seal of Dai Nam country for generations) introduced at the exhibition.

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Artefacts belong to Nguyen dynasty.

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Ceramic palates of royal court of the Nguyen dynasty.

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A foreign visitor looks for information on the foundation of Nguyen dynasty, with the national name set “Vietnam” by Emperor Gia Long in 1804.

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The Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (left) by president Ho Chi Minh in 1945 and the 1946 Constitution.

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The Resolution of the first session of the 6th National Assembly in July 1976 on changing the name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam today, with capital city still set in Hanoi.

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Inheriting the national tradition, after the August Revolution in 1945 and the two resistant wars to reunify the country, Vietnam takes the name of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and set the capital in Hanoi.