Opening of the thematic exhibition: “Long Van Khanh Hoi – The image of the dragon in Vietnamese culture”

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Truong Kim Quan - Head of Cultural Heritage Management Department - Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Manh - Deputy Director of the Center for Archaeology - Institute of Social Sciences of the Southern region, Ms. Le Tu Cam - President of the Cultural Heritage Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau - General Secretary of the Historical Science Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Thanh Nghia - President of the Antiquities Association of Ho Chi Minh City and representatives of leaders of museums in the city, museums of southern provinces such as Long An Museum, Kien Giang Museum, Vinh Long Museum, ... and collectors.

Delegates attending the seminar

The dragon is a cultural symbol, a spiritual product formed in the process of human perception of the natural and social world. In the East, in the history of the development of nations, the image of the dragon is also attached with new meanings, suitable to the nature of the times such as the symbol of national origin, royalty, supernatural power, luck, prosperity. In the Vietnamese mind, the dragon is the origin of the nation - originating from legend; in agricultural thinking, it is the god of rain that helps crops to be bountiful. The image of the Vietnamese dragon has been present in all aspects of social life from architecture, on costumes; in applied art objects to festival activities.
The exhibition introduces to the public more than 100 artifacts from the museum and some private collectors. The artifacts are divided into themes such as the image of dragons in the royal court with artifacts of the Le Trinh and Nguyen dynasties ordered by the court to be produced in China or dragon robes embroidered with five-clawed dragons; The image of dragons in architectural works is shown through terracotta artifacts; The image of dragons in daily life with groups of artifacts diverse and rich in types and materials such as bronze irons, wooden boxes, candle holders, etc.; The image of dragons in religious beliefs is shown through groups of artifacts of incense burners, incense bowls, altars, etc.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan delivered the opening speech.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History said: The image of the dragon in Vietnamese culture is not simply a cultural symbol but also carries profound spiritual values and humanistic meanings; expressing the connection between humans and nature, honoring the pride and self-esteem of the Vietnamese people in the process of conquering nature and society.
This topic is meant to be a place where good things converge, wishing for a happy Dragon year, along with the aspiration to "transform and rise" of the country and people!
In addition, the Museum also presented flowers and certificates of merit from the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City to collectors who have contributed to the Museum's activities as well as this thematic exhibition.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan gives flowers to collectors