VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam History Museum in HCM City has opened the Nét Cũ Dấu Xưa (Marks of History) exhibition, showcasing 130 Vietnamese artefacts from the 15th to 20th century.

A visitor views the collection of Cay Mai ceramics on display at the Nét Cũ Dấu Xưa (Marks of History) exhibition at the Viet Nam History Museum in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Gia Thuan

The pieces are from the collections of 27 members of the HCM City Antiques Association and from the museum.

Hoang Anh Tuan, the museum’s director, said: “The exhibition shows their passion and desire for collecting, preserving and promoting cultural relics.”

“It also shows their knowledge, understanding and love of Vietnamese culture and fine arts,” said Tuan.

The exhibition displays items made from stone, metal and ceramics.

The collection is composed of Cay Mai ceramics, a famous ceramic genre in the South created by artisans in HCM City’s Chợ Lớn at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of 20th century.

Cay Mai ceramics are dedicated to Buddhism, with statues of dragons, phoenixes and kylins, as well as glazed ceramics vases in varying shades, including green, white and brown. The statues and vases were used in pagodas and temples.

The exhibition also showcases swords, seals, tea sets and household goods used during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

Various administrative and royal documents from the Nguyen Dynasty are on display as well.

Nguyen Van Quynh, chairman of the Antiques Association, said: “The artefacts were collected for over 20 years by association’s members.”

“We decided to introduce our collections to local and foreign visitors so they can learn more about our history,” said Quynh.

The exhibition, which ends on March 30, is at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street in District 1.

Source: VNS