Ho Chi Minh City announces 17 national treasures

On June 29, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister's decision to recognize the National Treasure and opened the thematic exhibition "National Treasures - Heritage masterpieces in Ho Chi Minh City".

Opening of the thematic exhibition “National Treasures - Heritage masterpieces in Ho Chi Minh City”. Photo: Quoc Thanh

Former Politburo member and former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attended.

This is the first time 17 National Treasures from public museums and private collectors in Ho Chi Minh City have been displayed together, creating a comprehensive picture of Vietnamese history and culture from prehistoric to modern times.

National treasures on display at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History. Photo: Nguyen Le

The National Treasures introduced include:

- Ceramic pot (Dong Son culture) dating back about 2,500 - 2,000 years ago. The artifact belongs to the private collection of Pham Gia Chi Bao, recognized as a National Treasure in 2024.

- Dong Duong Buddha statue (Champa culture) dated from the 8th - 9th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.

- Statue of Goddess Devi (Champa culture) dating from the 10th century. Artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.

- Avalokitesvara Hoai Nhon statue (Champa culture) dating from the 8th - 9th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- Statue of Avalokitesvara Dai Huu (Champa culture) dating from the 10th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- Statue of Vishnu (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 2nd - 5th century. Artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.

- Statue of god Surya (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 6th - 7th century. Artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.

- Statue of Goddess Durga (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 7th - 8th century. Artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- Avalokitesvara statue (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 8th - 9th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- Sa Dec Buddha statue (Oc Eo culture) dating back to the 4th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History and was recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- The Binh Hoa Buddha statue (Oc Eo culture) dates from the 4th - 6th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History and was recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

- Loi My Buddha statue (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 4th - 6th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History and was recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.

- Son Tho Buddha statue (Oc Eo culture) dating from the 6th - 7th century. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, recognized as a National Treasure in 2018.

- The seal "Luong Tai Hau chi an" dates from 1833. The artifact belongs to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and was recognized as a National Treasure in 2020.

- Printing block of “Treasury bill with face value of 5 Dong”, dated 1947. Artifact belongs to Ho Chi Minh City Museum, recognized as National Treasure in 2018.

- Painting "Spring Garden of Central, South and North" by artist Nguyen Gia Tri, made from 1969 to 1989. Artifact belongs to Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, recognized as National Treasure in 2013.

- Painting "Thanh Nien Thanh Dong" by artist Nguyen Sang, sketched in 1967, completed in 1978. Artifact belongs to Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, recognized as National Treasure in 2017.

Former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visits the National Treasures exhibition area at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History. Photo: Quoc Thanh

People visit the National Treasures exhibition area at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History. Photo: Quoc Thanh

The exhibition takes place from June 29 to August 10, 2025 at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History.

As of 2025, Vietnam has 327 artifacts and groups of artifacts recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures. Of these, Ho Chi Minh City has 17 treasures currently kept at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and private collector Pham Gia Chi Bao.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-cong-bo-17-bao-vat-quoc-gia-707255.html