Visitors admire artefacts displayed at the exhibition "Typical antiquities of the Lý - Trần dynasties in Bắc Giang Province".

BẮC GIANG -- A special exhibition showcasing 150 rare antiques from the Lý-Trần dynasties has opened in the northern province of Bắc Giang's Tây Yên Tử spiritual - ecological tourist area.

The exhibition is organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DoCST) in coordination with the Việt Nam Archaeological Association, the Calligraphy Club under the Institute of Sino-Nom Studies, the Tây Yên Tử Joint Stock Company and the Sơn Động District's People's Committee.

As part of Bắc Giang Culture-Tourism Week 2024, the exhibition also introduced calligraphic documents and literature works from the Lý-Trần dynasties (1009-1400) as well as the Buddhism careers of leading monks of Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Zen. 

The event's organising board said some 60 typical antiques, utensils, and objects made of terracotta, ceramic and porcelain are displayed featuring the artistic style of Lý-Trần Dynasties. All the artefacts were recently found and collected in the province.

Another 40 images and 50 artifacts selected from eight archaeological excavation sites conducted in recent times are also presented at the exhibition.

In addition, a display and performance of Sino-Nom calligraphy of literary works will take place that express the deep emotions and thoughts of the King Trần Nhân Tông (1258-1308) - the emperor known as a Zen Master and poet.

King-Monk Trần Nhân Tông, the third King of the Trần Dynasty, founded the first Vietnamese School of Buddhism called “Thiền Tông” or Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Zen sect on the 1,068m-high Yên Tử Mountain.

Vestiges of the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Zen sect found in artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations at relic sites in Bắc Giang are also on display.

They include those on Tây Yên Tử mountain and on eight tourist routes to restore Buddhism path of the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Buddhist Patriarchs, with some imprints still preserved in inscriptions and relics such as Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda and the mountains of Yên Mã, Hòn Tháp, Bình Long, Hồ Bấc and Đám Trì.

Addressing an opening ceremony of the event, Vice Director of the Bắc Giang DoCST Nguyễn Si Cầm highlighted the values of the culture and literature during the Lý-Trần dynasties.

He said that the exhibition aims to popularise the cultural heritage in the province as well as the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử Zen sect, thus enhancing the community’s sense of responsibility to protect and promote the national cultural and historical tradition.

At the same time, the event is expected to help attract investment in provincial tourism and boost local tourism development, promoting the image of a safe, attractive, friendly and hospitable destination. VNS