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| Dr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung sharing information about the ancient manuscripts at the exhibition |
The exhibition is held to honor the value of knowledge, inspire a love of reading, and promote reading culture within the community. According to the organizing committee, the corpus of Nguyen Dynasty manuscripts constitutes a vast documentary heritage, offering a comprehensive reflection of political, social, cultural and artistic life, as well as education, examinations, and national defense during a significant historical period.
The collection on display is presented by Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities and has been built up through a long process of collecting, including significant contributions from heritage enthusiasts who have donated artifacts.
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, Deputy Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said the collection comprises various valuable groups of materials, including imperial poems composed by the Nguyen Emperors, as well as documents on culture and arts, education and the imperial examination system, and the Nguyen Dynasty’s administrative records. The collection serves as an important source of documentation for research on the last monarchic dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal history.
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| On display are two The sach (silk books) from 1874, the 27th year of Tu Duc’s reign, artifacts of Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities |
Beyond its research value, the exhibition also serves as an occasion to honor individuals who have contributed to preserving and donating valuable materials to the museum. It thereby reaffirms the enduring significance of the written heritage passed down by previous generations.
Featuring 34 ancient manuscripts, including many rare artifacts and texts of significant cultural and historical value from the Nguyen Dynasty, the exhibition offers the public a closer look at this documentary heritage. Furthermore, it provides deeper insight into the dedication of past generations, thereby fostering greater awareness of preserving and promoting national cultural values.
The exhibition lasts until April 24.
* On the same day, at Secret Institute - Tam Toa Complex, Hue Monuments Conservation Center coordinated with the family of the researcher Nguyen Dac Xuan to introduce the book titled “Nguyen Dac Xuan - A Writer Devoted to Hue”. This is his 90th publication and one of his special works.
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| The book launch having the participation of many cultural - historical researchers, writers, and poets |
Published in late 2025 by Hong Duc Publishing House, the 24x24 cm, 344-page volume brings together nearly 1,000 black-and-white and color photographs, complete with detailed annotations on their background, related events, and the author’s meetings with figures connected to his scholarly and creative work.
Each photograph in the book offers a snapshot of memory, reflecting different stages of Mr. Nguyen Dac Xuan’s life, from his involvement in patriotic movements to his dedicated pursuit of research on Hue’s history and culture.
The book is divided into 10 sections, tracing the author’s life journey, from his hometown, childhood, and family, through years of struggle and resistance, to his writing career and research on the Nguyen Dynasty and ancient Hue. It also documents his connections with descendants of the last Nguyen Emperors, as well as teachers, friends, and kindred spirits, alongside his efforts to build the Gac Tho Loc “bookshelves”.
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| Nguyen Dac Xuan sharing his insights at the program |
Notably, in a chapter on Ho Chi Minh’s childhood in Hue, the author takes readers on a return visit to historical sites such as the house at 112 Mai Thuc Loan Street and Duong No Village, while also introducing figures associated with this period, thereby providing vivid additional materials for a deeper understanding of Uncle Ho’s life.
Decades of dedicated research have enabled Mr. Nguyen Dac Xuan to document insights from a wide range of figures and rare sources, helping to deepen the historical and cultural narrative of Hue across over a century.
Speaking at the book launch, Nguyen Dac Xuan, now aged 90, said he has spent 6 decades composing, while both participating in revolutionary activities and conducting research to introduce Vietnamese culture to the world. According to him, the book serves as a reflection on that journey and offers readers a perspective on Hue’s history across multiple decades.
At the event, many writers, poets, and cultural researchers also shared their memories and stories associated with Nguyen Dac Xuan, highlighting his perseverance and dedication in his writing journey and in preserving memories of Hue through his 90 published works.