The exhibition will display 21 thoroughly-selected books and 10 related metal books to help visitors access and study a collection of special artifacts with historical, cultural and artistic values and imprints of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam.

The golden books of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) are a special type of ancient document made of precious metals to record royal events and functions, including emperors’ succession to the throne, ascendancy of crown princes and queens, merit recognition, promotion and ceremonies to bestow royal titles in the royal families.

The documents were written by emperors or mandarins and manufactured by entrusted royal courtiers.

The NMH is preserving the treasures made of gold and gold-plated silver, which are rectangle-shaped, decorated with dragons and phoenixes on both covers and kept inside of four ring binders.

The books’ birth, purpose and contents were mostly recorded in the Nguyen Dynasty’s national history books, containing historical and cultural values of the dynasty and being an invaluable heritage.

The exhibition will be open to the public from March 31 to the beginning of August.