An exhibition named “The Vietnam land shown on the Nine Dynasty Urns” was held at the Hue Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi) in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on June 16.
At the event, 32 photos with captions of the sea, rivers and mountains across all regions of Vietnam which were carved on the Nine Dynasty Urns (Cuu Dinh in Vietnamese language) were on display.
The bronze urns were cast in late 1835 and completed in early 1837 under the reign of King Minh Mang. They represent the unity and beauty of the country, as well as the aspiration for immortal existence of the Nguyen Dynasty, according to director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung.
The urns, which remain intact, have been positioned in the yard of the citadel’s The To Mieu (To Mieu Temple), a place to worship the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, since the date they were completed.
The highest urn is 2.5 metres high while the shortest at 2.3 metres high. Each weighs up to 2,600 kg and has a name symbolising an emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Each urn was carved with 17 patterns featuring plants, animals, landscapes and places of Vietnam.
The nine urns were recognised as national treasure in 2012. The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has also been taking steps to seek UNESCO recognition of them as a world documentary heritage.
