Hue City reports to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism about the Nguyen Dynasty throne being violated.

VHO - The Hue City People's Committee Office announced that the locality has reported to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the results of implementing the directives of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh regarding the damage to the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne.

The Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne, a national treasure, was displayed at the Thai Hoa Palace before being vandalized. Photo: S. THUY

According to report No. 6730 of the Hue City People's Committee, immediately after the incident occurred, local leaders directed the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center, the Department of Culture and Sports, and other units to implement related measures as directed by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Following the approval of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the City People's Committee established a Council to assess the condition and propose methods for preserving and restoring the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne. On June 1st, the Council held a meeting to evaluate and propose solutions.

The People's Committee of Hue City will continue to report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and decision on the plan for preserving and restoring the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne, in accordance with regulations.

According to the Hue City People's Committee, in June 2025, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center will finalize and implement detailed protection plans for each national treasure currently stored at the Center.

This includes focusing on ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to prevent theft, fire, explosions, natural disasters, and other potential damage, thereby guaranteeing the absolute safety of national treasures.

The council assessing the condition and proposing methods for preserving and restoring the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne, met on June 1st. (Photo: PT)

At the same time, the locality will also conduct a comprehensive review of the management, security, and display of relics, antiques, and national treasures belonging to the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, as well as the management of relics in the city, and will report the results to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before June 6, 2025.

The People's Committee of Hue City will prioritize investing funds in renovating and upgrading facilities and technical infrastructure, and investing in specialized equipment for displaying and preserving artifacts and the national treasure exhibition area at the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center.

Promote the application of new technologies and artificial intelligence in management and supervision, such as early warning sensor systems, virtual fences, and security monitoring systems, to ensure that national treasures are placed under special preservation conditions as guided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

To date, Hue City has 14 artifacts/sets of artifacts, comprising 41 individual artifacts, recognized as national treasures. Specifically, at the historical sites within the Hue Imperial Citadel Complex, there are 12 artifacts/sets of artifacts, comprising 38 individual artifacts, that are national treasures; the remaining two national treasures are currently preserved at the Hue City History Museum.

Large national treasures, displayed in "open spaces" such as the Nine Divine Cannons, the Nine Tripods, the 11 bronze cauldrons from the Nguyen Dynasty, the Khiem Cung Stele, the Great Bell, and the "Imperial Construction of Thien Mu Pagoda" stele, have also been desecrated by tourists who touch, draw on, and engrave characters on them.

The Nine Tripods, a national treasure, are displayed in the courtyard of the Thế Miếu Temple within the Huế Imperial Citadel. Photo: S. THÙY

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center, said that the national treasures in the Hue heritage site are very diverse in materials, sizes, and weights; from bronze, wood, stone, jade, fabric, etc. And each type has different forms and methods of protection. To date, the center has basically developed a comprehensive plan based on current regulations and the Law on Cultural Heritage 2024, which will take effect from July 1st, and will report it to the Hue City People's Committee.

According to the report, the City People's Committee has conducted a review, learned from the experience, and held individuals and organizations accountable for the damage inflicted on the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's royal throne.

Specifically, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center conducted a thorough self-criticism and drew profound lessons before the city's People's Committee leadership; and severely criticized the Center's Protection and Management Department and the Hue Imperial Palace Antiquities Museum.

Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, Hoang Viet Trung, along with three Deputy Directors, Phan Van Tuan, Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, and Le Cong Son, underwent a thorough review and learned valuable lessons before the leaders of the Hue City People's Committee.

Regarding the security guards Dang Quang Long and Dao Hoang Vu on duty at Thai Hoa Palace on May 24th, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center decided to dismiss them from their jobs. In addition, the team leader and deputy team leader of the Thai Hoa Palace - Ta Huu Vu - Kien Trung Palace security team were also disciplined with a reprimand.

Regarding this incident, the Hue City Police have initiated a criminal case, charged the suspect, and issued an order for the temporary detention of Ho Van Phuong Tam (42 years old, from Huong Long ward, Phu Xuan district, Hue city) for a period of 3 months on the charge of "Intentionally damaging property" under point C, clause 2, Article 178 of the Penal Code.

Previously, on May 24th, Ho Van Phuong Tam sneaked into the exhibition area displaying the national treasure, the Nguyen Dynasty's throne, at Thai Hoa Palace, sat on the throne, and broke the left armrest into several pieces.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/thanh-pho-hue-bao-cao-bo-vhttdl-ve-vu-ngai-vua-trieu-nguyen-bi-xam-hai-139382.html