Special exhibition "Old Saigon ceramic statues - Art and heritage"

On the morning of October 15, 2025, at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History (No. 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, District 1), the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition "Old Saigon Ceramic Statues - Art and Heritage" took place, attracting the participation of many delegates, researchers, students and the public who love heritage. The exhibition "Old Saigon Ceramic Statues - Art and Heritage" was carried out in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Southern Women's Museum and the Ho Chi Minh City Antiquities Association.

Awarding commemorative medals to units and individuals participating in the thematic exhibition

Saigon ceramics were formed in the 18th - 19th centuries along with the process of reclaiming the land in the South. The ceramic kilns around Cho Lon such as Cay Mai, Buu Nguyen, Dong Hoa, Hung Loi... not only produced everyday items but also created sophisticated worship statues, bearing the appearance of Vietnamese culture mixed with the breath of Buddhism, Taoism and folk beliefs. The exhibition introduces more than 50 typical artifacts, divided into 4 thematic groups:
+ Buddhist statues: images of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhat, Dharma Protector, Tieu Dien... with sophisticated craftsmanship, expressing solemnity and purity in religious symbols.
+ Taoist statues: typically the Tam Quan Dai De set of 9 statues, symbolizing the power and order of the universe.
+ Folk worship statues: such as Jade Emperor, Phuc Duc Tho Dia, Chua Tien Nuong Nuong, reflect the rich religious world of Southern residents.
+ Architectural decorative statues: depicting characters such as Bat Tien, Ong Nhat - Ba Nguyet, Luu Hai catching toads, or groups of relics that once appeared on the roofs of communal houses, pagodas, and assembly halls, blending ceramics and architecture.
Notably, many statues have Chinese inscriptions clearly stating the kiln name, production location and production date – valuable “earthen documents” that help researchers gain a deeper understanding of ancient Saigon ceramics.
Not only a space for displaying fine arts, “Old Saigon Ceramic Statues” is also a dialogue between the past and the present – ​​where viewers can feel the image of an old Saigon in the deep glaze colors, the rustic yet lively statues. In his opening speech, Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, emphasized: in the heart of today's dynamic city, there are still old values ​​quietly anchored, including the Saigon ceramic craft – where earth, water, glaze and fire blend together with the talented hands of the craftsmen, creating works imbued with the soul of Southern culture. This exhibition is a tribute to the artisans who have contributed to creating the sophisticated cultural appearance of the old Saigon - Gia Dinh land.
The exhibition “Old Saigon Ceramic Statues – Art and Heritage” is organized in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Southern Women’s Museum and the Ho Chi Minh City Antiquities Association.

Special exhibition space

  The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History hopes that through this topic, the public will appreciate more the cultural values ​​crystallized through each block of land and fire - where "art and heritage" blend, telling the story of an ancient Saigon full of identity.
The exhibition is open from October 15 to November 17, 2025 at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History (No. 02 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

Source: https://www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn/ban-tin/trung-bay-chuyen-de-tuong-gom-sai-gon-xua--nghe-thuat-va-di-san