An exhibition of original designs of Việt Nam national emblem is on show at the Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Đạt

HÀ NỘI — About 200 documentary archives and original sketches of the Vietnamese national emblem by late artist Bùi Trang Chước are being displayed at an exhibition in central Hà Nội.

The exhibition is held by the State Records and Archives Management Department of Việt Nam (SRAMD) in collaboration with the Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum (VNFAM) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the 75th National Day (September 2).

With the theme Phác Thảo Mẫu Quốc Huy Việt Nam - Họa sĩ Bùi Trang Chước (Sketches of Việt Nam National Emblem - Painter Bùi Trang Chước), the event showcases the artist's original emblem creations which are being retained at the National Archives Centre No 3. 
At the exhibition, visitors can also see other sketches of stamps and banknotes designed by the artist.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event on Monday, VNFAM Director Nguyễn Anh Minh stressed the artistic value and the meaningful content of the national emblem saying it is a condensed, complete and concise symbol of the country and people of Việt Nam.

"It conveys the country's passionate desire for development and love of peace, and affirms the sovereignty of an independent nation," Minh said.

The official highly appreciated the contributions of the artistic community, particularly Chước, to the creation of the national emblem which he said was undertaken in compliance with the guidelines of the Party, State and President Hồ Chí Minh.

"The creation of the Vietnamese national emblem model is a common dedication of the Vietnamese revolutionary art community of which artist Bùi Trang Chước must be most highly appreciated," said Minh.

Visitors admire one of the original sketches of the national emblem by artist Bùi Trang Chước, — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Đạt

Meanwhile, Director of the SRAMD, Đặng Thanh Tùng said the original sketches of the national emblem are unique artworks, and the exhibition is to honour Chước and Vietnamese painters for their enormous contributions to the creation of the national symbol.

The organisers hope that the show will help the public, especially young people, gain a better understanding of the national emblem and nurture their patriotism, he added.
With success in the August Revolution, the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, was founded on September 2, 1945. A number of countries set up diplomatic ties with the country in the 1950s.
To enhance and expand external relations and assert national sovereignty via diplomatic activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed the National Assembly Standing Committee have a national emblem and seal created. In 1951, a design contest for a national emblem was launched, which attracted artists nationwide.

Born in Hà Nội, artist Bùi Trang Chước (1915-1992) graduated from the Indochina Fine Art College in 1941. In June 1951 he joined the national emblem designing contest. From 1953 to 1955, the artist drew 94 draft designs and a dozen detailed versions of objects he wanted to use in the national emblem design. He was the first Vietnamese person to design postage stamps in Indochina.
Of his 112 sketches of the national emblem, from general to detailed, 15 were submitted to the Prime Minister in October 1954 for a final decision.
The national emblem is circular in shape. In the middle of a red background is a five-pointed gold star encircled by rice ears, below which is half a cogwheel and the inscription Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam (Socialist Republic of Việt Nam).

The event is open till September 6 at the Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Hà Nội's Ba Đình District. — VNS  

Some of the original designs of the national emblem are being displayed at the exhibition. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Đạt