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Initial reports from Hue City regarding an incident where a tourist deliberately vandalized a national treasure – the Nguyen Dynasty throne – have shocked public opinion and sparked outrage in the community. The incident is not only an act of property destruction but also a serious insult to the nation's precious cultural heritage.
Recently, at the Thai Hoa Palace within the Hue Imperial Citadel, a man brazenly climbed over the protective fence and broke several parts of the throne. This act of vandalism has drawn strong condemnation from the public, who cherish and respect historical values. Immediately, the Director of the Cultural Heritage Department, Le Thi Thu Hien, took decisive action, sending an urgent official letter to the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center. The letter requested an urgent inspection and assessment of the damage to the throne, and proposed solutions for handling and preserving it in accordance with the law on cultural heritage.
A tourist who bought a ticket to visit the heritage site of Hue unexpectedly sneaked into the restricted area of the Thai Hoa Palace, climbed onto the Nguyen Dynasty throne, repeatedly exhibited unusual behavior, and then broke the throne.
The supposedly broken part of the throne.
The Nguyen Dynasty throne is a symbol of the supreme power of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam. What makes this throne special is its prominent placement in the main hall of the Thai Hoa Palace, the sacred ceremonial space of the royal family. This was where the king held court with his officials and was the center of all royal ceremonies, where important events such as coronations, grand court sessions, receptions for foreign envoys, and national holidays took place. Therefore, the throne embodies the absolute authority of the emperor, the one "given by heaven" to rule the empire.
The Nguyen Dynasty throne is a national treasure of immense historical and cultural value.
The throne is imposing in size: 101 cm high, 72 cm wide, and 87 cm long; the base is 118 cm long, 90 cm wide, and 20 cm high. Above the throne is a magnificent golden steel canopy, adding to its splendor. The entire artifact is meticulously crafted from precious wood, gilded and painted, and exquisitely carved with intricate dragon and cloud motifs – symbolic representations of the emperor in East Asian thought. Particularly noteworthy is the back of the throne, featuring the "dragon and cloud auspicious gathering" motif, with dragon heads surrounding it and facing towards the center, symbolizing the idea of the world submitting to one ruler, with the emperor at the center of the universe. Beyond its historical and political value, the throne is also a unique work of art from the Hue imperial court, a testament to the talent and sophistication of ancient artisans.
This national treasure once stood proudly in the main hall, telling the story of Vietnam's last feudal dynasty.
According to researchers, the throne dates back to the reign of either Emperor Gia Long or Emperor Minh Mạng, which was in the early 19th century. This was a crucial period that laid the foundation for the ceremonial system and centralized power of the Nguyễn dynasty. Remarkably, the Nguyễn dynasty throne has never been lost or moved from the Thái Hòa Palace throughout its more than 200-year history. Even after the collapse of the feudal regime in 1945 with Emperor Bảo Đại's abdication, the throne remained intact.
After 1975, restoration and preservation efforts for the throne were intensified. Particularly since the Hue Imperial Citadel complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the throne has become a top priority in conservation efforts. In January 2016, this artifact was officially recognized as a National Treasure, affirming its exceptional historical, cultural, and artistic value.
Whenever the emperor sits on the throne, it is the moment when commands are issued from Heaven, and when all officials and courtiers must bow in obedience, demonstrating the majesty and stability of the dynasty. It is also the focal point of all eyes and the reverence of all subjects.
The act of damaging or destroying cultural heritage is a serious crime and is explicitly prohibited by Vietnamese law. Clause 2, Article 9 of the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage specifically stipulates this, and the Penal Code also has corresponding penalties. Accordingly, those who destroy heritage will be punished depending on the severity of the violation, ranging from administrative penalties, fines, non-custodial correctional sentences to imprisonment.
In the case of damage to the Nguyen Dynasty throne, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center will invite leading experts and artisans to jointly assess the extent of the damage and develop a suitable repair plan, ensuring maximum preservation of the treasure. At the same time, this serves as a valuable lesson for the Center to review and develop more stringent security and safety measures throughout the entire heritage site, especially for artifacts, antiques, and national treasures.
According to the management, this is an extremely rare and unacceptable situation. To prevent similar incidents in the future, they will focus on increasing the number of security equipment and support tools, and organizing training to improve the skills of the security team. The goal is to detect and prevent suspicious activities early on, ensuring that the invaluable heritage of the nation will always be absolutely protected. This incident once again raises a warning about the awareness of cultural heritage preservation within the community.
