On April 11, the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister’s decision granting national treasure status to the Long Giao bronze pangolin and to inaugurate the exhibition Ancient Metallurgy in Dong Nai.

At the event, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism publicly announced the Prime Minister’s decision and presented the scientific dossier supporting the artifact’s recognition. The bronze pangolin is now housed at the Dong Nai Museum for public display.

The Long Giao bronze pangolin is an original, one-of-a-kind artifact of significant cultural, historical, and artistic value. It is the only known specimen of its kind, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of prehistoric and protohistoric bronze artisans.

The sculpture is finely cast with meticulous attention to detail - from the head, ears, eyes, and snout to its intricately rendered scales - precisely replicating the real animal’s features with balanced proportions and refined techniques.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Son Hung, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, praised the efforts of the cultural sector and various organizations and individuals who contributed to the national treasure application.

He urged the provincial Department of Culture to continue advising the local government on policies to protect and promote the value of the national treasure. He also called for the development of preservation and promotional strategies through thematic exhibitions, heritage digitization, and technological applications in cultural heritage outreach.

On this occasion, the provincial Department of Culture also launched the Ancient Metallurgy in Dong Nai exhibition, showcasing over 100 photographs of significant archaeological sites and more than 200 artifacts.

These exhibits highlight the region's early developments in metallurgy, including bronze casting and iron forging, with the Long Giao bronze pangolin as a centerpiece from the early Bronze-Iron Age in Dong Nai.

Hoang Anh