HÀ NỘI — A model of Mông Phụ Village Gate, one of the unique architectural structures in the ancient village of Đường Lâm on the outskirt of Hà Nội, was presented to Hà Nội Museum at a ceremony yesterday.

The model was a gift from Japanese professor and architect Ejima Akiyoshi. The professor spent over one year on creating a model of the village gate that is made of precious kinds of both Japanese and Southeast Asian wood.

The model, which is 90cm wide, 60cm long and 63cm high, can be assembled and dismantled and serve as a visual teaching aid for training of architects and students.

Built in 1553, Mông Phụ is one of the oldest village gates in Việt Nam. Its structure, according to Professor Akiyoshi, “is a unique combination between laterite bricks and wood”. Its gate was restored in 2008 in a joint project between Việt Nam and Japan.

The exhibit introduces and promotes the values of Đường Lâm Village, a national relic and Mông Phụ Village Gate, in particular, the Museum said. It is also aimed at enhancing the awareness of Hà Nội residents, especially young people, of the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

The event is also expected to boost cooperation and cultural exchanges between Việt Nam and Japan.

Addressing the ceremony, Trương Minh Tiến, deputy director of Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports, expressed his sincere thanks to Professor Akiyoshi for the gift.

“Hà Nội’s Department of Culture and Sports and Hà Nội Museum are very honoured on receiving such a meaningful object. We will preserve and promote its meaning by integrating it into researches and practical activities. We hope that the professor and other researchers will continue to assist Hà Nội in managing, preserving and promoting the cultural values of the 1,000-year-old capital,” he said.

Professor Akiyoshi also said he was honored to have participated in restoring many typical structures within Việt Nam. “The donation somehow demonstrates my affection and friendship between me and local people,” he said.

“It is a model that is really worth researching,” noted professor Phan Huy Lê, chairman of Vietnam Association of History and Science at the ceremony.

Professor Akiyoshi has participated in the research and restoration of many of Việt Nam’s relics, including Hội An’s old town, an ancient house in Bắc Ninh and the ancient Đường Lâm village.

He attended 17 projects researching and restoring Đường Lâm Village. In 2004, he received For the Cultural Cause Medal presented by the Vietnamese Government. — VNS