The Museum of Jewelry of 54 Vietnamese Ethnic Groups and the Nguyen Dynasty Royal Palace Museum, both under the Do Hung Museum, have recently been inaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Do Hung, Director of Do Hung Museum, and Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien – Hue Province.

Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, a member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, expressed his admiration for the new museums, emphasizing their cultural significance.

"The two museums are a very meaningful addition to cultural and tourist attractions right in the city center. They provide more interesting and useful places for the public to visit," he said.

Mr. Do Hung and his team dedicated over six months and more than 15 billion VND to establish the two museums. With over 30 years of experience in collecting and researching antiques, Mr. Do Hung views each artifact as a piece of art and history with a fascinating story.

"I am no longer just a collector or an antique connoisseur. I consider myself someone with a mission to preserve and promote antiques by introducing them to the public. That's why I established these museums," he said.

The Nguyen Dynasty Royal Palace Museum showcases a diverse array of artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty royal family, including jewelry, daily items of princes and princesses, and valuable court items. Many of these artifacts were acquired from auctions abroad, particularly from France.

Highlights of the collection include items from King Kien Phuc (reigning 1883-1884), a cup named Duy Tan, and a 24K gold-plated wooden cabinet of King Khai Dinh. The museum also features office accessories, imperial edict boxes, tea sets, and jade genealogy items belonging to King Bao Dai, along with personal items of Queen Nam Phuong, the last queen of the Nguyen Dynasty.

At the same time, the Museum of Jewelry of 54 Vietnamese Ethnic Groups exhibits jewelry and costumes that reflect the aesthetic concepts, beliefs, customs, and practices of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The artifacts, dating back over 2,500 years to the 20th century, showcase the diverse cultural identities and artistic expressions of these communities.

The jewelry collection includes earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces, arranged according to the geographical locations of the ethnic groups. This thoughtful arrangement highlights the cultural similarities and unique artistic styles of groups such as the H'Re, Cho Ro, Bru-Van Kieu, Co Tu, Gia Rai, and many more.

The Jewelry Museum of 54 Vietnamese Ethnic Groups and the Nguyen Dynasty Royal Palace Museum are located at 68 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. These private museums within the Do Hung Museum system offer a unique glimpse into Vietnam's rich cultural heritage.