As many as 18 national treasures of Vietnam are being exhibited for the first time at the Vietnam National Museum of History from January 10 to May 2017.

Among the displayed are two freshly recognised in December 2016. They are the golden seal of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, made in 1709, and Thong gom hoa nau (a ceramic jar with brown colored glaze patterns) from the 13th to 14th century which was discovered in the northern province of Nam Dinh in 1972.

Other national treasures include Ngoc Lu and Hoang Ha bronze drums of the Dong Son culture, the Dao Thinh glazed terra-cotta jar, a statue depicting two men playing panpipes, a lamp in the form of a kneeling person, a boat tomb, the Vo Canh stele, the bell at Van Ban Pagoda, among others.

The exhibition also showcases important historical works such as Nhat ky trong tu (The Prison Diary), Duong Kach Menh (Revolutionary Path) and the manuscripts of the Call for National Resistance by President Ho Chi Minh.

The exhibition is hoped to help visitors get a systematic understanding of the historical and cultural values of the national treasures as well as the skilfulness of Vietnamese artists, thus encouraging patriotism and raising the sense of responsibility of the people for preserving Vietnamese culture.

On the occasion, the Vietnam National Museum of History received a model of 5.75m long and 3.47m tall of the cannon made by villagers in Dong Ky of the northern province of Bac Ninh.

VNA