Since October 2022, competent agencies have taken measures through cultural diplomacy, collected legal documents and negotiated in an effort to bring home a golden imperial seal dating back to 1823 from France.

The statue, about two metres long and around 250kg in weight, was recognised as a World Heritage by the United Nations’ cultural organisation (UNESCO).

The family of British antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford handed over a 7th-century statue to Vietnam at a ceremony in London on September 13 (local time).

Authorities are carrying out procedures for the repatriation of the seal to Vietnam in accordance with the laws of both nations.

The gold bowl of Emperor Khau Dinh (1885-1925) has been sold for €680,000 (US$676,000) at auction by Million in Paris.