Cultural Heritage of the Eastern Region

Hai Duong is a land with a rich history and culture, preserving many unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites, including many distinctive cultural heritage sites related to the Tran Dynasty.

The Hiệp An brown-glazed ceramic jar is 45 cm high and weighs 20 kg. It is made from white clay, covered with an ivory yellow glaze, decorated with brown glaze, and has a light gray ceramic body.

To innovate the promotion of the outstanding global cultural heritage values ​​of the Yen Tu historical and scenic site during the process of the three provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang building a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex as a World Heritage site, and to honor the Tran dynasty in the cause of national defense, on October 19, 2024, at the Hai Duong Provincial Museum, the Organizing Committee of the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival 2024 organized a thematic exhibition "Cultural Heritage of the Tran Dynasty in Hai Duong". The exhibition included two themes: "Cultural Heritage of Hai Duong in the Yen Tu dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage recognition" and "Typical artifacts of the Tran Dynasty and archaeological discoveries of the 13th - 14th centuries".

The exhibition presents 200 documents, images, artifacts, and antiques providing an overview of historical and cultural relics, archaeological discovery and excavation sites, and typical artifacts from the Tran Dynasty in Hai Duong province; and of the representative cultural heritage of the Tran Dynasty that still exists. At the same time, it affirms the important position of the ancient Eastern region in the process of national history. The exhibition contributes to promoting and publicizing the outstanding values ​​and proving the authenticity of the Con Son - Kiet Bac National Special Relic Site, Thanh Mai Pagoda, and the Kinh Chu - Nham Duong Relic Complex within the system of historical and cultural relics of the Tran Dynasty nominated for World Cultural Heritage; it also contributes to raising awareness and responsibility among officials, the people, especially the younger generation, in preserving, protecting, and promoting the value of traditional cultural heritage.

Also on this occasion, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Duong province, in coordination with the Association of Ancient Artifacts of the Eastern Region, organized a thematic exhibition "The Quintessence of Ancient Artifacts of the Eastern Region" and announced the Prime Minister's Decision recognizing the Tran Dynasty brown-glazed ceramic jar as a National Treasure. The Tran Dynasty brown-glazed ceramic jar was discovered in Hiep An commune, Kinh Mon town, Hai Duong province in 1981. This is an original, unique artifact with a distinctive form and is a rare and precious work of art; it symbolizes the peak development of ceramic art during the Tran Dynasty, reflecting a part of the ideological, religious, and aesthetic values ​​of the era. With the same period and manufacturing method, Quang Ninh (along with Hai Duong, formerly known as Hai Dong region) also has two National Treasures: the An Sinh brown-glazed ceramic jar and the Tran Dynasty brown-glazed ceramic jar.

The An Sinh brown-glazed ceramic jar shares many similarities with the Hiep An brown-glazed ceramic jar in terms of manufacturing techniques and patterns.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hai Duong province, stated: "It can be affirmed that the cultural traditions from ancient times have become a source of pride, the origin of the vibrant life and strong momentum of this land and its people in the construction and protection of the country today. Over time, Hai Duong has preserved many unique tangible and intangible cultural heritages with 3,199 historical and cultural relics, more than 800 traditional festivals, hundreds of traditional crafts… In particular, with 129 historical, cultural, and artistic relics and 26 out of 50 archaeological sites discovered and excavated related to the Tran Dynasty – the Tran Dynasty cultural heritage in Hai Duong has become an important part of the cultural identity of the ancient Eastern region. These cultural heritage values ​​have been and are being cherished, preserved, and effectively promoted by generations of Hai Duong people in contemporary life."

The system of historical and cultural relics from the Tran Dynasty in Hai Duong province in general, and the Con Son - Kiet Bac, Kinh Chu - Nham Duong National Special Relic Sites and Thanh Mai Pagoda in particular, are an inseparable part of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac complex in the dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage recognition. This is not only a region of stunning natural beauty with its harmonious river and mountain landscapes, but also the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, playing a crucial role in the history of nation-building.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/di-san-van-hoa-xu-dong-3325942.html