Sensation in Hue: Throne of the Nguyen dynasty damaged-police arrested!

Sensation in Hue: Throne of the Nguyen dynasty damaged-police arrested!

Hue, Vietnam - On May 24, 2025, the historical site of the Nguyen dynasty in Hue was shaken when an incident of the inauguration of the throne in the Thai Hoa Palace became known. According to reports, a man, Ho van Phuong Tam, acquired an admission ticket for the imperial city of Hue at 11:55 a.m. and showed unusual behavior when entering the palace, which led to the damage to the throne's armrest. Security forces reacted immediately and asked Tam to leave the area while the police were informed about the situation. At 12:10 p.m., the police of the Dong BA district was able to control and arrest the suspect. During the arrest, Tam showed signs of a mental disorder and was unable to make a statement.

The Ministry of Cultural Heritage then gave instructions to carry out an inspection and evaluation of the current state of the monuments in Hue. A report on the incident should be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism by May 26. In response to the incident, the damaged throne was transported to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. A restoration of the throne in the Thai Hoa Palace is planned for the future presentation. The Hue Monuments Conservation Center will also increase the security measures at the cultural heritage sort, including the installation of surveillance cameras and the training of the security personnel, to prevent such incidents.

Affected artifacts of the Nguyen dynasty

Attention to the region's cultural assets is particularly important because the Nguyen dynasty is a significant connection to Vietnamese history. On December 31, 2024, Vice Prime Minister Le Thanh Long 33 artifacts, including four from Hue, were officially recognized as national treasures. These artifacts are not ordinary finds; They are original and unique objects of exceptional historical and cultural value.

The newly recognized artifacts from Hue are:

• The NGO Mon (Meridian Gate) bell from the MINH Mang-era, which can be found in the NGU PHUNG (Five-Phoenix) pavilion.
• A few dragon statues from the Thieu Tri era, which are set up in the Thai Hoa Palace.
• A stone relief from the MINH Mang-era, which is exhibited in the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities.
• The throne of Emperor Duy Tan, also in the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, which will soon be presented to the public.

With the added treasures, the total number of national treasures in Hue increases to 39. This illustrates the cultural relevance of Hue and the outstanding importance of these artifacts, which not only reflect the history of the Nguyen dynasty, but also preserve the cultural heritage of Vietnam. The obligation of the responsible authorities to comply with the provisions of the cultural heritage is also emphasized in order to protect such valuable cultural assets.

Experts and artisans are invited to develop a restoration plan for the throne to ensure adequate restoration and presentation. The incidents and their consequences throw a light on the need for improved protection and more intensive information about the value of national treasures in Vietnam.