Bringing Nguyen Dynasty woodblock prints closer to the public.

The Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks, currently preserved at the National Archives Center IV in Da Lat city, are one of the rarest and most valuable archival documents in the Vietnamese National Archives, and were recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage on July 31, 2009. This is a source of pride not only for the archival sector but also for the entire Vietnamese nation.

Woodblock prints from the Nguyen Dynasty. Source: VNA (Vietnam News Agency).

Rare heritage

UNESCO's recognition of the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock collection affirms its multifaceted value, including its sophisticated craftsmanship and, especially, its content reflecting Vietnamese history through the ages, from the Hung Kings' founding of the nation to the Nguyen Dynasty.

Furthermore, this collection of documents is particularly valuable for studying the history and culture of several countries around the world, such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, China, France, the United States, and Portugal.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, Deputy Director of the National Archives Center IV, stated: “This valuable collection of heritage also contains many documents affirming Vietnam's sacred sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. These are precious documents, providing researchers and visitors, both domestic and international, with a reliable and rich source of historical and cultural information for studying Vietnam.”

Woodblocks are wooden plates carved with reversed Chinese or Vietnamese characters, including plates depicting major literary and historical works of the Nguyen dynasty; plates of Confucian classics; and plates from the Nguyen period, transferred from the Temple of Literature (Hanoi) to the Imperial Academy (Hue) during the reigns of Emperors Minh Mang and Thieu Tri. These plates were used to print books and were widely used in Vietnam during the feudal period.

According to historical records, the first woodblock prints in Vietnam date back to the early years of the Common Era, at the Buddhist center of Luy Lau (now in Bac Ninh province) to print the first Buddhist scriptures in Vietnam. The woodblocks that have survived to this day, dating back to around the 17th century (1665), are the books 'Bach Phap Minh Mon Luan Truc Giai', of which a 1665 edition is currently in the library of the Institute of Han Nom Studies.

Regarding the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock documents, the majority were carved during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The content of this collection of Nguyen Dynasty woodblock documents is rich and diverse, reflecting all aspects of Vietnamese society during the feudal period, such as history, geography, politics-society, military, law, culture-education, religion-ideology-philosophy, literature, language-writing. In total, there are 152 titles with 1,953 volumes.

The number of Nguyen Dynasty woodblock documents currently preserved in a specialized warehouse in Da Lat is 34,619, equivalent to 55,320 woodblock carvings.

Promoting the value of the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock documents.

Currently, the Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks are protected and preserved with great care. This valuable collection of documents is stored in a special, dedicated warehouse. Furthermore, to ensure the safe preservation and effective utilization of this exceptionally rare collection, they are being copied, printed on traditional Vietnamese dó paper, and digitized using software for protection and retrieval.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung added that over the years, the Center has promoted the value of the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock documents through various forms such as introducing and promoting them domestically and internationally, and through magazines and other media.

After opening its doors to visitors and showcasing the woodblock documents, many domestic and international tourists have come to visit and study them.

From this precious heritage, the National Archives Center IV has also published eight books introducing woodblocks, such as 'Hoang Sa and Truong Sa through Nguyen Dynasty Woodblock Documents - World Heritage'; 'Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks - Overview'; 'Thang Long-Hanoi Scholars through Woodblock Documents'; 'The Edict on Relocating the Capital and Some Masterpieces'...

During the Da Lat Culture and Tourism Week 2013 (December 27-31), visitors will have another exciting option. They will be amazed when they visit the thematic archival exhibition "Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks - World Documentary Heritage." This exhibition will be open to visitors for the first time, showcasing the original collection of Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks.

According to Vietnam+