Nine Dynasty Urns in Hue recognized as UNESCO Memory of the World

The recognition was announced in Mongolia’s capital on May 8 during the 10th plenary meeting of Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific. The urns received unanimous votes by all 23 member countries.

The Nine Dynastic Urns were cast in Emperor Minh Mang’s Era (from October, 1835 to January, 1837). They were placed in front of The Mieu Temple, (where the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty are worshipped,) symbolizing the career of the emperors.

As requested by Emperor Minh Mang, they were named after the posthumous names of the emperors. The Nine Dynastic Urns are a sacred treasure which embodies the eternity of the dynasty and demonstrates the power and strength of a unified dynasty.

According to Hue Monuments Conservation Center, the Nine Dynastic Urns are like a picture encyclopedia with 162 delicately embossed patterns.

Artisans in the Minh Mang’s era portrayed the landscape diversity of the country and typical objects of each region of the country such as stars, mountains, rivers, seas, gates, trees, flowers, animals, weapons, vessels, etc. The patterns on the urns are both royal and folk, familiar with most Vietnamese people.

Despite wars and harsh climate, the nine urns survive intact at their original location and were recognized as National Treasure in 2012.

With this addition, the country now boasts 10 heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in the Asia-Pacific region, including 3 documentary world and 7 documentary heritages./.