18 antiques returned to Vietnam

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Doan Xuan Hung handed over 18 antiques from different cultural periods to the National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi on August 9.
  • Exhibition on Hoa Binh’s cultural heritages and antiques opens
  • War veteran builds museum to honor comrades
  • Vietnamese museums seek methods for better public engagement
  • A look inside the first Countryside Museum in Vietnam
  • Hung King museum embodies Vietnam’s glorious history
Officials examine the antiques at the hand-over ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Officials examine the antiques at the hand-over ceremony (Photo: VNA)

The antiques, including 10 stone and eight bronze artifacts, were instruments of production and weapons of ancient people that were seized by Berlin police at the shop of a Vietnamese trader in late 2016.

There are five objects of the Dong Nai culture dating back 4,000-3,500 years, five of late New Stone Age and early Central Highland Metal Age, 4,000-3,500 years, and eight of Dong Son culture, 2,500-2,000 years.

From March 2017 to February 2018, the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism worked with the Federal Foreign Office (the German foreign ministry) and relevant agencies to verify the origin of the objects and complete procedures to hand over the antiques to Vietnam.

On March 28, 2018, representatives from Berlin police and ministry of culture handed over the objects to the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany.

Ambassador Hung said the embassy had been preserving the antiques from March 2018 and now at the museum for research, preservation and display.

Germany has handed over illegally traded antiques to many countries. Vietnam was the first country in Southeast Asia to receive the ancient objects.

Director of the museum Nguyen Van Cuong said the handover of the antiques demonstrates the responsibility of Germany in implementing the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transport of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Earlier, the museum coordinated with Germany to organise exhibitions showcasing some 300 antiques at the archaeological museum in Westfalen State in Herne (from October 7, 2016 to February 26, 2017), the national archaeological museum in Chemnitz (from March 30 to August 20, 2017) and the Reiss-Engelhorn museum in Mannheim (from September 16, 2017 to January 7, 2018).

The exhibitions aim to help international friends, including Germans, understand traditional Vietnamese culture.

VNA

Other News

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Technology is similarly enriching exhibitions at the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi. Wartime letters, a typewriter and other artefacts linked to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh have been digitally integrated with collections held at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Through projection mapping, 3D displays and a virtual reality recreation of the Paris Peace Agreement, visitors can engage more deeply with the life and achievements of one of Vietnam’s most prominent diplomats.

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council, called on Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers to continue serving society with mindfulness and compassion, uphold the noble traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism, and spread the light of kindness to foster a better life for all.

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

In recent years, many localities across the Dong Van Karst Plateau have strengthened efforts to integrate traditional culture preservation into schools. "Khen" performances, linen weaving, folk songs and traditional games are gradually becoming more familiar once again to younger generations.

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird said: “We are thrilled to support this musical collaboration between Australia’s Matthew Ifield and Vietnam’s Mỹ Anh. Creative connections and exchange between young people in Australia and Vietnam will help build cultural understanding between our nations”.

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

Vietnamese Buddhism has consistently upheld the spirit of “protecting the nation and serving the people” while accompanying the nation in promoting social ethics, strengthening great national unity, and advancing national development.

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

According to Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, travellers are becoming more selective when choosing accommodation, prioritising properties with strong reviews, quality amenities and distinctive dining options. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on the overall travel experience, alongside peer-based quality assurance.

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

With its majestic landscapes, rich ethnic cultures and immersive tourism experiences, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Old Town of Lijiang are becoming increasingly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, while also contributing to stronger tourism and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province.

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

The increase in flights from Russia, the CIS and Belarus to Da Nang not only helps diversify the city’s international visitor markets but also reflects growing confidence among international travel companies in Da Nang’s attractiveness and tourism capacity.

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

The Command Cave tour offers domestic and international visitors an opportunity to explore the values of the World Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang while commemorating the victories and sacrifices of forces operating along the Truong Son route.

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

The representative of the Vietnam Cinema Association stated that in the context of today’s fourth Industrial Revolution, the requirement to respect and ensure historical authenticity through cinema has become more important than ever, as digital platforms and cyberspace have enabled the widespread dissemination of cross-border media products.

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

PSNews - "We have always affirmed that the greatest strength lies in the people, and the greatest creativity also comes from the people. When millions of positive stories are shared and spread simultaneously, we are not only promoting the image of our country, but also helping to strengthen social trust, enhance consensus, elevate national prestige, and proactively counter false and distorted information about Vietnam in the international arena", said Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Organizing Committee of the award.