(VOVWORLD) - Two private museums have been opened in Ho Chi Minh City to display antiques and jewelry of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The museums belong to a private museum chain owned by Mr. Do Hung.
 Tableware of the Nguyen dynasty in a private museum of Do Hung (photo: VOV) |
The two museums are located in a building in Nguyen Hue street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
The Museum of Ethnic Jewelry displays thousands of jewelry and traditional costumes of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, hairpins, and other jewelry adorning embroidered brocade costumes reflect the beliefs, customs, and traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. These original artifacts, some crafted more than 2,500 years ago, are made of gold, silver, jade, ivory, amber, agate, quartz, mother of pearl, and tortoiseshell.
The Nguyen Dynasty Royal Palace Museum displays antiques from the forbidden palaces of 13 Emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. The display includes royal furniture, costumes, jewelry, and other personal belongings of kings, queens, princes, and princesses.
Visitor Cam Le said: “There are many valuable artifacts of the Nguyen Dynasty and jewelry items of 54 ethnic groups. The displays help us better understand our nation's history and culture.”
The rare artifacts include antiques of Emperor Kien Phuc that Do Hung bought at an auction in France.
 Clothes and jewelry of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands (photo: VOV) |
Phan Thanh Hai, a member of the National Cultural Heritage Council and Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien-Hue province, said: “The Museum of Ethnic Jewelry has many unique items which demonstrate a wide range of jewelry produced by Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The Museum of the Nguyen Dynasty Royal Palace also has many precious, rare artifacts. This is a very valuable supplement to the public museum system.”
Vietnam has about 200 museums, including 55 private museums. The addition of more private museums will contribute to enriching the spiritual life of the locals and attracting more visitors to Vietnam.