The exhibition named "Betel and areca culture of Vietnam” opened on October 24 at the Vietnam National History Museum, Hanoi.

The exhibition introduces to the public about 100 typical objects and photos of lime pots, betel boxes, spittoons, etc. in order to present the origin of betel chewing practice in Vietnam and to preserve the beauty of this traditional culture.

The exhibition has three main topics: the custom of chewing betel and the values of Vietnamese betel and areca culture; the betel chewing custom of some ethnic minorities in Vietnam; and the preservation of the value of betel and areca culture.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Director of the Vietnam Women's Museum said Vietnam’s betel chewing custom has a long history and the museum has made many scientific studies on the vitality of this custom.

The exhibition will last until January 2013.

Some items displayed at the exhibition:

The betel mortar of Mrs. Luong Thi Tiem, a Tay
ethnic woman in Yen Bai province.

Lime tube, from the collection of antiques of the Nguyen royal family.

Spittoon embossed gold dragon of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Betel mortar and betel box made of gold, copper and crystal of
the Nguyen Dynasty, 19th-20th centuries.

A betel chewing set made of gems, ivory, silver
and gold of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Lime pot made of pottery, produced by Van Ninh pottery kiln,
Quang Ninh province, in the early 20th century.

Wood tray, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Nguyen Dynasty.

Betel box of Thai people.

A betel box embossed dragon and phoenix Gold of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Key chain made of silver, of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Betel basket of Ms. Lam Thi Hoa Cuc, a Khmer woman, Tra Vinh province.

Betel bag of Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen, Tay ethnic, Bac Kan province.

Lime tube of Xo dang ethnic people.