Nguyen Dynasty’s antiques shows Vietnamese sovereignty over East Sea (South China Sea) Cổ vật triều Nguyễn cho thấy chủ quyền của Việt Nam trên Biển Đông

Nguyen Dynasty’s antiques shows Vietnamese sovereignty over East Sea (South China Sea) Cổ vật triều Nguyễn cho thấy chủ quyền của Việt Nam trên Biển Đông 

The East Sea (including the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos) were carved on nine bronze censers in the early 19th century, confirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands and waters.

One of the two treasures that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has nominated as “national treasures” is a set of nine bronze censers (Cuu Dinh) in the Hue ancient citadel. The censers were casted in three years (1835-1837), under Emperor Minh Mang Dynasty.

The censers are placed in front of The Mieu, the temple of the Nguyen Emperors. They stand in parallel with the altars of Nguyen Emperors. The highest censer is in front of the altar of Emperor Gia Long. Censers turn their backs on Hien Lam Cac, the highest place in the Hue royal citadel, which is the monument of Nguyen Dynasty’s mandarins.
The censers have been there for 170 years.

The nine censers are different from each other, meaning the difference in the personality of nine emperors. There are 17 landscapes or specialties of Vietnam which are carved on each censer.

Vietnam’s three seas were carved on the three biggest and most important censers, including the East Sea on Cao Dinh (the highest censer), the South Sea on Nhan Dinh and the West Sea on Chuong Dinh. On the highest censer, the East Sea includes Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes. There are traces of wars on these censers.

“Dragon on cloud” on Cao Dinh shows the power of Nguyen Emperors.

The other side of the censer is carved with cannons and war ships. The sun rises from the East.

Thousands of visitors to the Hue royal citadels are introduced about the Cuu Dinh.

“Cuu vi than cong” is the set of nine bronze cannons which were casted under Emperor Gia Long Dynasty. They were previously placed at the foot of Ngo Mon Gate. In Emperor Khai Dinh Dynasty, they were divided into two groups, including Spring-Summer-Autumn-Winter on the left of the citadel and Metal – Wood – Water – Fire – Earth on the right.

The cannons were carved with many patterns. They are the biggest and most beautiful cannons in Vietnam.

Each cannon is 5.1m long. The heaviest cannon weighs 18,400kg and the
lightest cannon is 17,000kg.

Compiled by Minh Trang