The people who make antiques talk

Hidden deep behind the dust of time, seemingly lifeless antiques hold countless stories. They are not only the length of history and national culture but also vivid memories, preserving the old soul in the rhythm of modern life. Holding in his hand an earthenware jar, an artifact in his collection, Mr. Hoang Tung (Nam Thanh village, Yen Hoa commune) enthusiastically tells visitors the story of how his mother used earthenware jars and earthenware jars to store seeds.

Mr. Tung and his mother's earthenware jar containing seeds

For him, every time he touches the household items that were once used in Vietnamese families, it is a time to fully live with the memories of his beloved mother. “Most of the artifacts in the collection are my mother’s belongings. I witnessed the hard work and hardship of my parents, so I really appreciate the items my grandparents left behind. In addition to household items, I also went to many places to look for more farming tools and production items…”, Mr. Tung shared.

Visitors are excited about the display of farm tools at Mr. Tung's house.

As a teacher who had worked far from home for many years, during those years, he always felt homesick and cherished the plan to re-create a house with simple furniture that his parents and grandparents used when he returned. With a heavy heart for the past and a love for traditional cultural features, after returning to his hometown, he devoted a part of his house to rebuild a three-room thatched roof house.

After many sleepless nights, he chose the original to build the thatched house. The smell of soil and straw in each wall gave him a peaceful, familiar feeling. Mr. Tung confided: “When I had the idea of building a house, many people also advised me to build brick walls and brick floors to increase the solidity and avoid storms. However, thatched houses and earthen walls were part of my childhood memories, so I still decided to build a house with local materials. This house is very dear to me. I sleep here, receive guests here, it gives me a very relaxed, gentle feeling, far from the hustle and bustle of life outside.”

The three-room thatched house was built with traditional materials.

Tung’s passion for antiques grew steadily. In addition to ceramic bowls, earthenware jars, urns, cassette players, black and white TVs, his collection also includes many other items such as rice mills, rice pounders, and many other traditional agricultural tools.

From the original intention of collecting to preserve memories for himself, by 2024, when Mr. Tung's nostalgic space was gradually completed, many people with the same passion came to experience it. For many people, the old items in Mr. Tung's display space have become quite strange, attracting curiosity and exploration , but there are also people who come back to reminisce about the objects they used to use in their daily lives.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Yen Hoa commune) was moved: "When we, the 6X and 7X generations, look back at these objects, we are reminded of the past, remembering the hard work of our grandparents and parents. I also often bring my children to Mr. Tung's house to see and let them know the value of these artifacts, thereby educating and reminding them to remember their roots."

Mr. Tung's exhibition space attracts many tourists to explore and experience.

Also passionate about collecting antiques, Mr. Dang Huu Son (Ke Cac residential group, Ha Huy Tap ward) has a rich and diverse collection with thousands of artifacts, many of which are precious.

Mr. Son's exhibition space is divided into many different collections. In addition to ceramics, bronze, gas lamps, radios, hundreds of years old gramophones, Mr. Son also collects many war relics such as: canteens, gas cans, labor tools associated with memories of both production and weapons against the enemy.

A corner of Mr. Dang Huu Son's antique collection

In addition to Vietnamese household items such as pottery, porcelain, ceramics, clay plates, mortars and mortars, Mr. Son also collected many items associated with the cultural history of the South before and after 1975. Most of the items here are still functional, although they have been worn out over time, Mr. Son took the trouble to transport them here to restore, repair and carefully preserve them.

Mr. Son confided: “Since childhood, I have been passionate about art. At first, I just thought of collecting as a hobby, but during the process of learning, I realized that each artifact is a slice of social history, an artistic value… From then on, I became more passionate about researching and collecting seriously.”

It is the old items that have become the connecting objects for people with the same passion and interests as Mr. Son to meet, exchange, and develop their collections. On weekends, in the exhibition spaces, they can sit for hours to analyze and learn about the history and origin of an item they have just found or discuss the shape and form of a bonsai tree grown in stone mortars, ceramic vases, etc.

Mr. Son (left) introduces his collection of antique bowls and plates to his friends.

Love and respect for the past have brought antique enthusiasts together, meeting each other on a journey to find memories. “The most precious thing for antique collectors is the joy of discovering cultural characteristics of historical periods, not the items they have. I spend time collecting and searching not only to preserve artifacts but also as a basis for future generations to know, preserve and promote the long-standing culture of the nation,” said Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung (Cam Binh commune).

A familiar meeting place for antique lovers

Whether in the sandy area of a coastal village or in the hustle and bustle of the city, there are still people quietly and diligently holding on to time. For them, it is a way to cherish and preserve the cultural and historical values of their ancestors, to kindle love for heritage so that old values continue to spread in community life.