via Hue News, 28 July 2023: The Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) commemorated Vietnam Books and Reading Culture Day by showcasing a diverse collection of artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty, including ancient books, official documents, and noble titles donated to the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities (HMRA) by individuals and organizations.
This year, on the occasion of Vietnam Books and Reading Culture Day, Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) has introduced to the public a wide range of artifacts under the Nguyen Dynasty, such as ancient books, official documents and written bestowal of noble titles. These were donated to Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities (HMRA) from 2008 to the present by individuals and organizations.
Among these donated items are 11 ancient books which were collected by Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the HMCC, and donated to the HMRA. These are valuable works, such as: “Tự Đức thánh chế tự học giải nghĩa ca” (Vol. 7), “Tự Đức thánh chế thi tam tập” (Tu Duc’s Book Of Poetry), “Đại Nam thực lục chính biên đệ tứ kỷ” (vol. 69), “Giao tự đại lễ”, ‘Nghi thức thuyết giới Bồ tát tại gia”, “Điền tô sai dư thuế lệ”, “Truyện thơ Nôm Phan Trần”, “Chinh Phụ Ngâm”… together with illustrated books of the early 20th century, of which the most precious is “Ngự chế minh văn cổ khí đồ” composed by Emperor Minh Mang”.
Source: Rare books under Nguyen Dynasty