France returns over 2,000-year-old Dong Son Bronze Drum to Vietnam
WVR - The French Ministry of Culture organized a ceremony to return the Dong Son Bronze Drum from the Rennes Museum of Art (France) to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam on September 10.
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| Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam; French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard, and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong beside the Dong Son Bronze Drum. (Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) |
Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam, witnessed this significant event. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong and Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO in Paris Nguyen Thi Van Anh also attended the ceremony.
At the ceremony, French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard highlighted the central role of culture in the long-standing humanistic and intellectual ties between the two nations. Both France and Vietnam deeply understand the value of cultural heritage, which lies at the core of national identity and international dialogue. The handover of the bronze drum today is a remarkable testament to the appreciation of cultural heritage, thereby solidifying the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France.
Agreeing with the French Minister of Culture's remarks, Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong stated that the repatriation of the bronze drum artifact today is not merely the reception of a valuable relic but the return of a heritage symbol, a sacred cultural essence of the Vietnamese nation.
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| The Dong Son Bronze Drum returned from the Rennes Museum of Art. (Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) |
On September 10, the Dong Son Bronze Drum artifact handed over was dated by French scientists to approximately the 5th century BC, with a height of 40.7 cm, a diameter of 54.5 cm, and a weight of 17.2 kg.
The bronze drum, over 2,000 years old, is considered a representative artifact of the Bronze Age in Southeast Asia, associated with the metallurgical techniques of this culture as well as the history of Vietnam. Archaeologists believe the Dong Son Bronze Drum can be seen as a representative artifact of Dong Son civilization, which is also the civilization of early Vietnam.
According to information from the French Ministry of Culture, customs officers at Saint-Jacques de Rennes Airport seized the artifact in August 2014 due to a lack of proper documentation.
By November 2015, the Rennes Museum of Art received the artifact for preservation, research, and storage. The museum undertook necessary measures to conserve and restore the drum during its custody. The museum is known for its diverse collections ranging from archaeology and modern art to fine arts from various periods.
In 2026, Vietnamese authorities expressed their desire to reclaim the Dong Son Bronze Drum and requested approval from the French side.
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| Madame. Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary and President To Lam; French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard, and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ta Quang Dong with delegates at the ceremony to return the Dong Son Bronze Drum to Vietnam. (Source: VNA) |
The return of a Vietnamese cultural artifact by France is regarded by the French Ministry of Culture as evidence of the quality of diplomatic and cultural relations between France and Vietnam. The event also demonstrates the effective coordination between French state agencies in the fight against the illegal trade of cultural artifacts.
French media noted that the return of the Dong Son Bronze Drum, over 2,000 years old, to Vietnam not only holds significance for the preservation of historical artifacts but also affirms the value of Vietnam's cultural heritage.
According to the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Dong Son Bronze Drum existed for nearly a millennium, resulting in certain stylistic changes. Researchers have identified two main drum styles: one is short and stout, while the other is tall and slender. However, the relationship between these two styles remains unclear.
