Antique collector

Mr. Vu Manh Truong was born and raised in Truc Noi commune (Truc Ninh). Graduated from Hanoi University of Construction, and working, Mr. Truong participated in the restoration of many cultural works such as Hanoi Post Office, Nam Dinh City Post Office, many ancient churches in and outside the province... In the process of diligently working on technical drawings, admiring each molding, each dome, each delicately carved detail, he "fell in love" with the beauty of ancient architecture, especially the mascot patterns - where the cultural quintessence of each historical period is concentrated. Mr. Truong shared that in the feudal dynasties of Vietnam, the dragon image has always been a symbol of authority and sacredness. Each period, each dynasty has a different way of expressing the dragon - from the winding shape, facial expressions, to the accompanying patterns. Looking at the dragon image, people can feel the mentality, aesthetic thinking and culture typical of an entire era. Because of that passion, he is known by antique collectors as "Truong Rong".

Báo Nam Định•16/05/2025

Exhibition area of Ly - Tran - Le dynasties by Mr. Vu Manh Truong.

In 2010, Mr. Truong joined the UNESCO Center for Research and Collection of Vietnamese Antiques. This was an important turning point that gave him the opportunity to access in-depth, systematic knowledge and learn from people with the same passion. He also traveled to traditional craft villages such as Bat Trang ( Hanoi ), Quyet Thanh (Ha Nam), Phu Lang (Bac Ninh) ... to learn and collect; immersed himself in the bustling atmosphere of Vieng market, Nam Giang town (Nam Truc) every early spring or visited each family preserving antiques, patiently talking and persuading them to exchange, learn and add to his collection.

The result of many years of accumulation is hundreds of sculptures, handicrafts, and dragon motifs from the Ly and Nguyen dynasties; nearly 500 precious ceramic and porcelain artifacts from the Ly and Tran dynasties, Van Ninh and Bien Hoa ceramic lines; nearly 1,000 gilded and lacquered wooden paintings, elaborately carved and inlaid, many of which are large in size: 60cmx90cm, 1mx2m... In addition, there are sets of rosewood beds, tea cabinets, wooden, bamboo and rattan sofas, and architectural details of ancient wooden houses that have been meticulously restored. These include: a gilded and lacquered Nguyen Dynasty letter, meticulously carved on a yellow heartwood background, measuring 57cmx1.07m; a hexagonal Bat Trang ceramic vase from the XV-XVI century, with a three-color glaze, pink cracks, 39cm high; a pair of Chu Dau ladder-leg jars, ivory white glaze, brown glaze fern motifs, 33cm high; 19th century mahogany display cabinet, 2.1m high, 1.55m wide, 35cm deep; a pair of 18th century Van Ninh vases with blue glaze, dragon wrapped in water, 49cm high... In addition to antiques, Mr. Truong also has a special love for war relics: vases, ammunition boxes, crossbows, spears, lances... He also owns many collections such as: more than 100 pendulum clocks, cone clocks, cock clocks from the subsidy period; a stamp collection with stamps issued on the occasion of major events of the country, the birthdays of famous people, leaders, stamps showing historical legends, images of the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups; a collection of coins, paper money through the ages...

For Mr. Vu Manh Truong, the passion for collecting antiques is not simply about accumulating valuable items but also a journey to preserve, maintain and convey profound cultural and spiritual values. Each artifact is a thread connecting the past with the present, associated with vivid historical stories about past dynasties, about the creative spirit and ingenuity of ancestors. Since 2010, with the desire to create a space for exchange and sharing for those who share the same passion, he opened an antique exhibition space right on the premises of his house in alley 729 Truong Chinh on weekends. That space quickly became a familiar meeting place for collectors, antique lovers, locals and tourists from many places to visit. His antique exhibition space is also a place for members and antique lovers to exchange, learn and share experiences, helping each other improve their understanding of history, art and ancient cultural values through each artifact.

In addition to exchanging and collecting antiques, Mr. Truong is also interested in donating antiques as a way to show gratitude to history and ancestors. He has donated nearly 20 valuable artifacts to a number of public and private museums in and outside the province. In the program "Tet Market A Glimpse of Thanh Nam" Spring At Ty 2025, he donated a 13th-14th century Tran Dynasty jar, 18cm in diameter, 18cm high; an ancient bowl from the 15th-16th century Le Dynasty, 12.5cm in diameter, 5.8cm high. Mr. Truong added: "Donating antiques contributes to heritage preservation, helping precious artifacts not only to be preserved but also to be shared more widely, so that everyone can access and learn".

Mr. Truong shared that what he hopes for most in the coming time is to continue to renovate and improve to open a more professional exhibition space, welcoming many people with the same passion for learning and collecting, especially the young generation - those who will continue the journey of preserving the national soul.

Article and photos: Dieu Linh

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/xa-hoi/202505/nguoi-dam-me-suu-tam-do-co-b4a5df8/