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| The Minh Mang-era stone relief (central artifact) is currently on display at the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities |
On December 31, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed Decision No. 1712/QĐ-TTg to officially recognize 33 artifacts as NTs in the 13th round of 2024, including four artifacts from Hue. These newly recognized treasures are all original and unique artifacts with exceptional historical and cultural value.
The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; Chairpersons of the People's Committees at all levels where the NTs are located; Ministers; heads of ministerial-level agencies and government-run agencies; and heads of sectors and organizations assigned to manage the recognized NTs to carry out their management duties in accordance with the provisions of cultural heritage laws, within the scope of their responsibilities and authority.
The newly recognized artifacts from Hue include the Ngo Mon (Meridian Gate) Bell in the Minh Mang era currently located at the Ngu Phung (Five-Phoenix) Pavilion, Hue Imperial Citadel; a pair of dragon statues in the Thieu Tri era placed in Thai Hoa (Supreme Harmony) Palace; a stone relief from the Minh Mang era (displayed at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities). Notably, Emperor Duy Tan’s throne, currently stored in the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, will soon be exhibited to the public.
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| The Thieu Tri-era dragon statue is currently located inside Thai Hoa (Supreme Harmony) Palace |
The Ngo Mon (Meridian Gate) Bell is an outstanding work of art in sculpture, painting, and bronze casting from the Minh Mạng era (1820–1841) in particular and the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945) in general.
This unique bell was specifically cast for placement in the main southern gate of Hue Imperial City, the largest of the four main gates. It was used in royal ceremonies and viewed as a symbol of the feudal dynasty. The Quoc Su Quan (National Historiography Office) of the Nguyen Dynasty specifically documented the regulations for bell casting including methods, quantities, and usage standards for each type of bell in the Dai Nam Thuc Luc (Veritable Records of Great Nation under the Nguyen Dynasty), based on the nature, location, and content of each ceremony.
Alongside the Cuu Dinh (Nine Dynastic Urns), the Ngo Mon (Meridian Gate) Bell is one of the bronze treasures cast during the Minh Mang era that still exists at the Hue Imperial City. It is a tangible cultural heritage within the Complex of Hue Monuments and a treasure in the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
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| The throne of Emperor Duy Tan is currently on display at the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities |
The throne of Emperor Duy Tan was specially crafted by the court when he ascended the throne at the age of 7. Duy Tân was the 11th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945) and ascended the throne on September 5, 1907 (the 28th day of the seventh month in the Year of Snake). To suit the emperor's stature, the court had the throne specially made with smaller dimensions for his coronation ceremony. The intricate designs and decorative motifs on the throne, created with gilding, painting, and carving techniques, showcase the artistry of craftsmen from that era.
The stone relief from the Minh Mang era is the only marble artifact that bears the hallmark of Emperor Minh Mang, expressed through the poem “Ngu che” (Imperial Composition) and the poem "Minh" (Wisdom) engraved on both sides of the relief. This is a remarkable and unique masterpiece, not only showcasing the pinnacle of stone carving craftsmanship but also reflecting the advanced wood carving techniques of artisans during the Nguyen dynasty.
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| Ngo Mon (Meridian Gate) Bell in the Minh Mang era located at Lau Ngu Phung (Five-Phoenix Pavilion) in Dai Noi Hue (Hue Imperial City) |
The dragon statues from the Thieu Tri era are a set of bronze artifacts with significant historical, artistic, and cultural value. They represent the pinnacle of integration and imitation of the shape of the "kim an bao ti" (Golden Seal of the Emperor) cast during the reigns from Ming Mang to Thieu Tri, featuring a "coiled dragon" motif.
The dragon statues were originally placed ahead of the Can Thanh Palace (An architectural structure within Hue Imperial City), which served as the daily living and working space of the emperor. The image of a dragon is typical of the Nguyen Dynasty, with motifs such as "Long an van" (Dragon hidden in the clouds), chrysanthemum - sun, and decorative patterns (clouds, flaming swords, the pattern of the character "cong"…. The statue carries symbolic meanings. It represents the emperor as the "Son of Heaven," endowed with the "mandate of heaven," reflecting the strong power of the monarchy and the aspiration for a peaceful, prosperous nation.
Hueis among the provinces and cities with the highest number of NTs in Vietnam, with 35 recognized artifacts/sets of artifacts. Notably, the legacies left by the Nguyen Dynasty—the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam - have been preserved almost with intactness. With 4 newly recognized artifacts in this round, the NTs of Hue totaled 39 artifacts/sets of artifacts.
In 2024, the Appraisal Council of Thua Thien Hue Province (now Hue City) convened and unanimously approved the proposal for recognizing these 4 artifacts as NTs. The recognition is based on criteria such as uniqueness, cultural and historical value, and their significance in marking important national events or being associated with historical figures.