Tucked behind Long An Palace, within Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, the Cham Antiquities Section is a rather unique space. Dozens of sandstone sculptures dating from around the 7th to the 13th or 14th century are preserved here.

Since 1998, 32 artifacts or sets of artifacts have been returned to Hue from abroad, but only one of them was acquired through an auction. The other 31 were brought back through appeals for donations and connections with owners.

Taking place from June 22nd to July 21st at Kien Trung Palace, Royal Palace - Hue Imperial Citadel, the exhibition “Antiques Gathering” is organized by Hue Monuments Conservation Center in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City Antiquities Association and several domestic collectors.

The artifacts selected for identification are representative items typical of the Nguyen Dynasty's royalty and officials, such as the golden throne, palanquins, ceremonial shoes (things used in daily life and rituals), gold and jade branches (interior decorations), and the Xam Huong set (a recreational activity). This initiative marks the beginning of applying technology to preserve and promote the cultural heritage values preserved in Thua Thien Hue.

That Ms. Truong Thi Thanh Huong, a Vietnamese American of Hue origin, won the auction of the precious design dossier of Truong Tien Bridge and successfully brought it back to Hue once again reminds us of the hardships of the repatriation of antiquities.