Many administrative documents and artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty kings are introduced to the public for the first time at National Archives Center I.
The exhibition "Cau Ban of Nguyen Dynasty - Memories of a Dynasty" opened on November 17, on the occasion of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23). The event was jointly organized by the National Archives Center I and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.
The exhibition publishes many selected documents from the Nguyen Dynasty's Royal Archives - World Documentary Heritage.
The Nguyen Dynasty's Imperial Records is a system of administrative documents, including memorials, petitions, royal edicts, royal decrees, royal edicts, edicts, reports, orders, dispatches, deputies, and commands that the king read or approved in vermilion ink, conveying his will or resolving issues in the country's governance. This system of documents was assigned to the Nguyen Dynasty Cabinet to collect and manage in a unified block of royal documents.
This is the only original administrative document in Vietnam and one of the few in the world that still retains the direct approval of the Emperors on the document.
The Nguyen Dynasty, with 143 years of existence (1802-1945), left its mark in history on unifying the country, establishing sovereignty, diplomatic relations, building the capital, culture and education, social life, administrative institutions, legal systems, examinations and books.
The remaining Nguyen Dynasty Imperial Records include more than 86,000 original documents of 11 dynasties. Of these, 10 kings left their approvals in vermilion ink on the documents. The two dynasties that did not have Imperial Records were Duc Duc and Hiep Hoa. This system of documents was recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage of the Asia-Pacific region in 2014 and a Documentary Heritage of the World in 2017.
The events recorded in the Royal Records are highly authentic, because they are information serving social management work, received and processed by the Nguyen Dynasty kings.
The Imperial Records are also an important source of historical data for compiling historical books and official legal books, such as: Dai Nam Thuc Luc Chinh Bien, Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi, Dai Nam Liet Truyen, Kham Dinh Dai Nam Hoi Dien Su Le (main and subsequent editions), Tu Duc Chieu Du.
Professor Phan Huy Le once affirmed that the Nguyen Dynasty's Royal Records are a cultural heritage with dual value, both tangible and intangible, priceless, unique, and preserved to this day.
The exhibition also displays typical artifacts of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Exhibition space "Nguyen Dynasty Records - Memories of a Dynasty" also combines lighting projection technology and installation art, enhancing the value of documents and artifacts.
Thanh Truc (21 years old, Hanoi) said she was proud to admire the documents of the Nguyen Dynasty kings. The audience was impressed by the arrangement and lighting techniques in each area.