As of 2025, Vietnam has 327 artifacts and groups of artifacts recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures. Of which, Ho Chi Minh City has 17 National Treasures currently kept at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and private collector Pham Gia Chi Bao.
In which, the ceramic steamer was recognized as a National Treasure (13th batch) according to Decision No. 1712/QD/QD-TTg, Hanoi dated December 31, 2024 of the Prime Minister. Steamer is defined as a utensil used to cook sticky rice or later used to steam food. It is a 2-layer pot: the lower layer contains water, the upper layer contains sticky rice or food, separated by a wall with many round holes so that when boiling, the steam from the lower layer rises through the round holes to cook the food above. It can be said that this is a particularly important invention of the nation-building era.
The Dong Son culture ceramic pot in the collection of collector Pham Gia Chi Bao was found in Dong Tien commune, Dong Son (Thanh Hoa) in the Ma river basin. Up to now, this is the 7th pot of Dong Son culture that archaeologists have discovered in Vietnam, but it is the most intact, largest one with a balanced, sturdy, and harmonious shape.
Regarding the art: the outside of the steamer is decorated with a combination of hammered rope and smooth lacquer. This decoration, in addition to making it beautiful, also supports the shaping technique to make the product strong, sturdy, resistant to force, less prone to cracking when fired and retains heat evenly when used. This is an original, unique, original artifact of special value, an invented, created product with typical meaning, high practical value, and has the effect of promoting the development of society and people in the historical period - the Vietnamese Metal Age - the time when the Hung Kings built the country, the owner was the ancient Vietnamese.
The thematic exhibition “National Treasures - Heritage Masterpieces in Ho Chi Minh City” is the first time 17 National Treasures from public museums and private collectors in Ho Chi Minh City are present together, creating a comprehensive picture of Vietnamese history and culture from prehistoric to modern times.
The treasures on display include: a ceramic pot (Dong Son culture) dating back about 2,500 - 2,000 years ago; a Dong Duong Buddha statue (Champa culture) dating back to the 8th - 9th century; a Devi Goddess statue (Champa culture) dating back to the 10th century; a seal "Luong Tai Hau chi an" dating back to 1833; a printing block "Treasury bill of 5 dong", dating back to 1947; and two paintings "Spring Garden of Central, South and North" by artist Nguyen Gia Tri, made from 1969 to 1989; and "Thanh nien thanh dong" by artist Nguyen Sang, sketched in 1967 and completed in 1978. However, due to the large size of the paintings, the special exhibition at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History only introduces these two treasures through a projection screen.
The thematic exhibition, taking place from now until August 10 at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History, is not only an important cultural event but also a bridge between the past, present and future, helping the public better understand the value of national cultural heritage.
On this occasion, the Organizing Committee also announced the decision to rank Ton Duc Thang Museum as Grade I. Accordingly, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung signed Decision No. 2086/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 20, 2025 on the ranking of museums. Ton Duc Thang Museum enjoys the regimes and policies for Grade I museums in the Vietnamese museum system according to current regulations.
Thus, currently all public museums under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City are ranked grade I.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khai-mac-trung-bay-bao-vat-quoc-gia-nhung-kiet-tac-di-san-tai-tphcm-post801633.html
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