The ‘National Treasures’ stamp series, designed by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Du in collaboration with Vietnam Post, showcases four remarkable ceramic artifacts through intricate stamp designs. Each stamp, measuring 37×37 mm, highlights the rich history and cultural significance of these artifacts, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
The first stamp in the series features the Dau Ram Ceramic Vase, an artifact dating back over 3,000 years to the late Phung Nguyen culture. Discovered in 1998 at the Dau Ram archaeological site in Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province, this unique vase is now housed in the Quang Ninh Museum. With its national treasure status recognized in December 2018, the vase stands as a testament to Vietnam’s ancient cultural heritage.
Moving on to the second stamp, we find the Long Thanh Terracotta Vase Collection, comprising 18 exquisite vases that embody the artistic prowess of the Sa Huynh culture. These vases, preserved at the Quang Ngai General Museum, showcase the evolution of terracotta craftsmanship and were also recognized as national treasures in December 2018, underscoring their importance in Vietnam’s cultural narrative.
The third stamp in the series captures the essence of the Nhon Thanh Ceramic Vase, an incredibly rare intact artifact from the Oc Eo culture. This vase, housed at the Can Tho Museum, represents the pinnacle of ceramic craftsmanship and cultural exchange with India during the mid-1st millennium. Its national treasure status, also conferred in December 2018, emphasizes its exceptional historical and artistic value.
Concluding the series, the fourth stamp presents the Brown-Flower Ceramic Jar, an artifact discovered at the historically significant Tran Temple site, dating back to the 13th-14th centuries. Now proudly displayed at the National Museum of History, this jar was recognized as a national treasure in December 2016, adding to the rich collection of Vietnam’s cherished artifacts.
National treasures in Vietnam encompass historical, cultural, and artistic artifacts that hold immense significance to the nation. Each treasure is a living testament to the country’s resilient and diverse culture, reflecting its long journey of development and preservation. These stamps, designed using images provided by prominent museums, including the Quang Ninh Museum, Can Tho Museum, Quang Ngai General Museum, and the National Museum of History, offer a unique way to celebrate and promote Vietnam’s cultural wealth.
The ‘National Treasures’ stamp collection, with its release period from July 28, 2024, to June 30, 2026, follows two previous successful series under the same theme. The first series, titled “National Treasures (Part 1): Bronze Items,” featured bronze artifacts such as the Bronze Belt Buckle Set and the Hop Minh Bronze Jar. The second series, “National Treasures (Part 2): Gold Items,” showcased an array of golden treasures, including the Sac Menh Chi Bao Seal and the Dai Viet National Nguyen Lords Seal.
An exciting street festival in Hue
During Hue Festival 2016, the street festival themed “Heritage and Cultural Colours” took place on major streets in Hue, from May 1 through 3, 2016. The event attracted the participation of many artistic troupes at home and abroad, including the Thai Nghi Duong Unicorn Troupe from Hue , the Vietnam National Circus Troupe, theTraditional Music Band of Chango from Colombia, the Royal Dance Troupe from South Korea, the Traditional Artistic Troupe of Mongolia and the Japanese Traditional Yosakoi Dance Troupe.