Echoes of a thousand years

From the depths of the earth, the echoes of over two thousand years of history have been awakened. The Hop Minh bronze jar – a national treasure – is now housed in the Lao Cai Provincial Museum, continuing to tell the story of the glorious Red River civilization, where every carving and every pattern carries the breath of a bygone era; demonstrating the efforts of museum workers to preserve, restore, and spread the value of heritage.

In the central exhibition hall of the Lao Cai Provincial Museum, campus 1 in Yen Bai ward, a 1:1 scale model of the Hop Minh bronze jar is placed in a prominent position. Under soft lighting, the exquisite details of the intricate patterns are highlighted. Few know that behind it lies a long and tumultuous journey, from its accidental discovery underground to the years of careful preservation in storage and its eventual display.

Recounting with emotion and pride, Dr. Nguyen Van Quang, Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial Historical Science Association and former director of the Yen Bai Provincial Museum, said: "In 1995, when I was the director of the Provincial Museum, I heard that militiamen from Hop Minh commune (now Au Lau ward) had discovered a strange metal object while digging defensive fortifications on Choi Hill. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be an ancient artifact dating back thousands of years. Unaware of its value, they found human bones inside and dug another hole nearby to rebury it. When the commune authorities learned of the discovery, the artifact was temporarily moved for safekeeping. At that time, travel was very difficult, and fearing that the artifact might be damaged, I personally paid for a motorbike taxi to go to the site to inspect and receive the artifact."

Dr. Nguyen Van Quang, a historian and Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial Historical Science Association, and former director of the Yen Bai Provincial Museum, proudly introduces the image of the Hop Minh bronze vessel, which was featured in a publication by the Vietnam National Museum of History.

From that serendipitous moment, the journey to awaken the value of the artifact began. In June 1995, the jar was handed over to the Provincial Museum and meticulously studied, measured, photographed, and documented before being carefully placed in storage. Every detail, from patches of copper rust to tiny cracks on the jar's body, was recorded and analyzed by experts.

The handover ceremony of artifacts to the Provincial Museum in 1995. Photo: Archival material.

Experts believe the jar is a typical artifact primarily used as a coffin, as it contains the intact skeletal remains of a child aged approximately 5-6 years old. The accompanying burial items include a T-shaped dagger, a bronze axe, a piece of bronze plate with a base, a bronze musical instrument, and a flat, polished jade earring.

The skeletal remains and accompanying burial artifacts are currently on display in the Dong Son culture area, 2nd floor, Lao Cai Provincial Museum.

Historian Dr. Nguyen Van Quang further shared: "The Hop Minh bronze jar is an exceptionally rare artifact, dating back approximately 2,000-2,500 years, belonging to the Dong Son culture; reflecting the level of bronze casting techniques and the rich spiritual life of the ancient inhabitants of the Red River Delta. If the Dao Thinh bronze jar is the largest in Vietnam, then in my opinion, the Hop Minh bronze jar is the most beautiful. The decorative patterns on the jar are vibrant and distinctive. The jar has two symmetrical decorative bands, featuring flying birds and running four-legged animals, representing heaven and earth. In the center are two large decorative bands, depicting land-based and river-based festivals; a subtle combination of human life activities on a single jar."

The Hop Minh bronze vessel dates back approximately 2,000 - 2,500 years.

In the years that followed, the Hop Minh bronze jar was preserved as a particularly valuable artifact in the provincial museum's collection. However, its preservation was interrupted when thieves broke in and stole it. Thanks to the swift intervention of the police force, within just one month, the treasure was recovered intact and returned to the museum for continued preservation and to be honored in a manner befitting its historical value.

Archaeologist Nguyen Tien Hoa, Deputy Head of the Professional Department at the Lao Cai Provincial Museum, shared: “In 2013, the Hop Minh bronze jar was recognized as a National Treasure. Since then, the preservation, display, and research of the artifact have been given even more attention. To create a 1:1 scale display model, the team of experts had to dedicate a lot of time to continuous work, from measuring and drawing, reconstructing, creating molds, to perfecting every detail of the patterns.”

A 1:1 scale model of the Hop Minh bronze jar is prominently displayed on the first floor of the Provincial Museum, and the motifs on the jar's body are stylized and used as a focal point in the surrounding space.

Now, the Hop Minh bronze jar is prominently displayed in the center of the first floor of the Lao Cai Provincial Museum's exhibition hall. The motifs on the jar's body have also been stylized, used as decorative accents for the space, making it easier for visitors to observe, study, and appreciate the beauty of this heritage.

Visiting the museum, Nguyen Hoang My, a student in class 8A at Quang Trung Secondary School in Yen Bai ward, said: "I had seen pictures of the Hop Minh bronze jar in books, but seeing it in person, every detail and pattern came to life so vividly. I felt a deeper appreciation for its historical value and pride that my hometown possesses such a precious treasure. I admire the ancient Vietnamese people even more because more than two thousand years ago they had the sophisticated technique of casting solid bronze, creating beautiful and balanced patterns."

Images and documents about the bronze jar also appear in many thematic exhibitions, contributing to a wider introduction of the artifact's value to the public inside and outside the province. The Lao Cai Provincial Museum also applies information technology in its explanatory materials in multiple languages. In particular, on the virtual museum system, the Hop Minh bronze jar is scanned in 3D, 360 degrees, allowing visitors to rotate it left, right, up, and down in various spatial dimensions, clearly seeing cracks or viewing detailed dimensions. Thanks to this, people from afar and international tourists can easily access the province's heritage treasure. This is also a concrete step in the digital transformation process of the local culture and information sector, bringing cultural values ​​out of the traditional exhibition framework and spreading them more strongly in contemporary life.

From the depths of the earth to its current exhibition space, the Hop Minh bronze vessel represents a journey woven with the dedication, respect, and pride of generations. Through the years, the Hop Minh bronze vessel has been both a brilliant symbol of the Dong Son civilization and an echo of the past to the present, reminding each person of their responsibility to preserve heritage, of their love and aspiration to preserve Vietnamese cultural values ​​that endure through time.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/am-vang-tieng-vong-ngan-nam-post883993.html