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Over 40 artifacts of Nguyen Dynasty’s King Minh Mang are on display at Ngu Phung Pavillion to mark the 200th anniversary of his reign.

The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities last Tuesday launched an exhibition featuring more than 40 artifacts dating to Emperor Minh Mang (reigning 1820-1839) at Ngu Phung Pavillion in Hue Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO heritage site.

Minh Mang inherited the throne in 1820 after the death of Gia Long, the first emperor of the dynasty.

He is considered a dynamic and assertive king, introducing a series of reforms from politics to diplomacy, including the prevention of Western influence on Vietnam. Under Minh Mang’s reign, the country’s territory was expanded.

This is the first time Ngu Phung Pavillion, built in 1833, has hosted antiquities from the Minh Mang era.

A pair of small bronze nghe, a creature with the traits of a dog and lion, crafted in 1826. They are placed on both sides of Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) shrines.

The seal of Quoc Su Quan, an agency that researched and compiled Nguyen Dynasty history books, established at the start of Minh Mang’s reign.

In 125 years (1820-1945), this agency compiled many valuable documents.

A bronze vase was used in a game named dau ho, originating in ancient China and introduced to Vietnam during the dynasty.

The play set consists of a bronze vase about 30 cm, a mouth attached to two small tubes with 12 arrows that are 65-80 centimeters long, representing the 12 months of the year.

The flare cannon was used in the new year meeting during the king’s rule.

A porcelain enamel urn meticulously made in the Minh Mang time.

Visitors can also view other ancient urns made of porcelain and bronze.

The exhibition attracts many culturalists and antiquities researchers. Most of these antiques will be permanently displayed at Ngu Phung Pavillion.

The Grand Audience Ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty at Tet was reenacted on Tuesday in the former imperial town of Hue in a bid to preserve the royal tradition.

The Hue Monuments Conservation Center reenacted a Tet ceremony popular during the reign of Nguyen emperors with the participation of more than 100 individuals in Thai Hoa Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel. Hue Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO heritage site, was home to the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), which ruled Vietnam for 143 years. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Grand Audience Ceremony used to be held at Thai Hoa Palace and Ordinary Audience Ceremony at Can Chanh Palace. However, the supposed-to-be-ostentatious reenactment of the two rites only took place at Thai Hoa Palace since Can Chanh Palace had been destroyed in 1947 in a scorched earth resistance policy during the war.

Early in the morning, imperial guards solemnly hold lanterns, waiting for the emperor going from Can Chanh Palace to Dai Cung Mon (Great Palace Gate) and ascend to Thai Hoa Palace for the Grand Audience Ceremony.

After being signaled by the bell and drum at Ngu Phung (Five Phoenixes) Pavilion, the procession of nobility enters the courtyard of Thai Hoa Palace on the first day of the New Lunar Year. Officials have to wear attire in accordance with their rank

Nobles wait in position to hear the emperor’s proclamation of Tet.

The hierarchy of officials is determined by their position. The highest rank, which is the chief of staff of each ministry stands at the front, near Thai Hoa Palace and the lowest rank the farthest away.

When the king ascends to the throne inside Thai Hoa Palace, an en masse prostration marks the rite opening in earnest.

Mandarins then offer their congratulatory statement to the emperor.

The event is followed by a banquet and performance as appointed by the king.

The music performance for the Grand Audience Ceremony is attended by a group of Hue royal court artists.

One of the “Great Musical Instruments” of Nguyen Dynasty.

The procession of noblemen heads towards the New Year’s banquet hall, which used to be in Can Chanh Palace and the halls on its left and right flank called Ta Vu, Huu Vu, Ta Dai Lau Vien and Huu Dai Lau Vien, designated for officials according to their rank.

Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, vice director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said the Grand Audience Ceremony was staged with the aim to preserve the cultural heritage of Nguyen Dynasty and introduce the royal traditions at Tet, promoting tourism in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

vnexpress.net

Thanh Toan Bridge in Thanh Thuy Chanh Village, Thuy Thanh Commune was built in 1776. It is 18.75 meters long and 5.8 meters wide and divided into seven chambers. The roof is covered with glazed tiles.

The structure is considered to have the highest artistic value among ancient bridges in Vietnam, and was certified as a national relic site in 1990 by the culture ministry.

After years of deterioration, in April 2020, restoration started on Thanh Toan Bridge at a total cost of VND13.1 billion ($570,000). The budget was provided by the Huong Thuy Town Investment Project Management Board.

After 10 months, the bridge was opened again in early February.

Restoration focused on making the most of original materials, overseen by the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and Hue Monuments Reclamation JSC.

Decorative patterns on the tiled bridge were preserved according to the original design, with the porcelain dragon and phoenix remaining in situ.

Roof decor is reminiscent of Nguyen Dynasty aesthetics. The dynasty is Vietnam’s last royal family, reining 1802–1945.

Glazed tiles the color of jade.

The bridge is lit at night with LED lighting.

The altar area is located in the middle of the bridge. To honor Tran Thi Dao, who donated money to Thanh Thuy Chanh Village to build Thanh Toan Bridge, in 1925, Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1925) ordered an altar to be raised in her honor.

The truss system has been reinforced and repainted.

Every day, Thanh Thuy Chanh villagers and tourists visit the bridge to relax and sightsee.

In future, Huong Thuy Town will set up a countryside market and host folk games in this area to attract visitors.

vnexpress.net