Deputy Prime Minister directs handling of the case of the Nguyen Dynasty throne being vandalized

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh requested to handle information reflecting on the destruction of the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty throne.

The Government Office has just issued Document No. 4623/VPCP-KGVX dated May 25 conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh on handling the case of the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty throne displayed at Thai Hoa Palace in the Hue Monuments Complex, being vandalized.

Image of Nguyen Dynasty throne according to the application for recognition as national treasure

PHOTO: DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

Accordingly, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh requested the People's Committee of Hue City to urgently direct the inspection and assessment of the technical condition of the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty throne, and propose solutions for preservation and restoration in accordance with the law.

Organize a review, draw lessons and handle the responsibilities of related individuals and organizations, to prevent similar cases from happening; send a report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for synthesis and reporting to the Prime Minister before June 1.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism directed a general review and evaluation of the work of displaying, preserving and protecting national treasures, and reported the results to the Prime Minister before June 15.

The document of the Government Office also stated that, according to the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), at 11:55 a.m. on May 24, Ho Van Phuong Tam (42 years old, in Huong Long Ward, Phu Xuan District, Hue City) bought an entrance ticket to the Hue Imperial City.

Through camera extraction and initial investigation, at the time of the incident, two security guards, Dang Quang Long and Dao Hoang Vu, were both present in the Thai Hoa Palace area. When entering the Thai Hoa Palace area, Tam showed unusual behavior, a security guard invited him to go to the back of the palace. However, Tam then returned, sneaked into the Nguyen Dynasty throne display area, screamed and broke the front left armrest.

To prevent the subject from acting rashly and destroying other exhibits, security guards approached from a distance, reminded the subject to go outside, and called for additional support. At 12:10 p.m. the same day, local forces subdued Tam and reported to the police.

Immediately afterwards, the Dong Ba Ward Police (Hue City) made a record of the arrest of Ho Van Phuong Tam, but could not record his statement because the subject showed signs of mental disorder and could not answer the investigator's questions.

The Investigation Police Agency of Hue City Police is requesting a psychiatric assessment for Ho Van Phuong Tam and coordinating with the People's Procuracy of Phu Xuan District to collect evidence and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the relevant parties to resolve the case.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/pho-thu-tuong-chi-dao-xu-ly-vu-ngai-vua-trieu-nguyen-bi-pha-hoai-185250526094128745.htm