A copy book of royal decrees, which were issued by various kings of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), and reprinted on large size, has just been gifted to the National Museum of Viet Nam History.

The decrees, which include nearly 100 royal notes that praise and promote people who made several contributions to the country, have been published and donated by HCM City-based historian Nguyen Khac Thuan and his wife Ly Thi Mai.

The colour photos of the original royal decrees have been printed in a silk book that measures 81cm by 126cm and weighs 150kg.

Thuan said the collection was just part of the royal decrees that he has collected over the past 70 years.

The book also includes his translations and explanations for each royal note.

Thuan said he had to write explanations for the royal decrees as many of them lacked some characters, while some did not include the names of the people the decrees were sent to.

"I want to give this book to the museum as I respect it and hope that when the book is displayed at the museum, many local and foreign visitors will see the royal notes," he said.

"We will keep this unique book and will display it soon to the public as well as do more research on the historical notes," Nguyen Van Doan, deputy director of the museum, said.

Historian Thuan used to work as a lecturer at the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. He has written many books on Vietnamese history and has translated as well as edited many other books.

Thuan's wife Mai graduated in literature from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. She then did a master's course in history before training in psychological therapy. She works as a psychologist now.

VNS