In the 3rd century, a maritime road, connected the Eastern and the Western, was built.
At the beginning, the road started from the Red river, Northern Bay, went through Vietnam’s coast on the East Sea, Thailand Bay, Strait of Malacca, Sri Lanka, India to Persian Bay and the Red Sea. From ports on the Red Sea, wares were traveled along the Nile river to Alexandria and then went to Rome, Constantinople and other ports on Mediterranean coast. The wares were mainly spices. Time went by, the easternmost point of the maritime Silk Road expanded to some ports in the South of China, such as: Hop Pho, Tu Van, Tuyen Chau, Phuc Chau, Ninh Ba…, as well as trade wares became variety, such as: silk, ceramic… The legendary road was not only the trade road but also a cultural and religious journey that combined together.
Vietnam, a country is located on the peninsula on the East Sea, has a long coast and the large sea with two big islands Hoang Sa and Truong Sa and thousands of other islands. Therefore, in the early time, the sea took an important role in the Vietnamese people’s lives. It not only provided abundant food but also connected Vietnam to many countries. The advantage location connects culture and trade between the Eastern and the Western, between Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean and between Asia, Europe and North East of Africa, etc. So, Vietnam has been an ideal destination in the journey that there are many maritime ports appeared, such as: Van Don (Quang Ninh province), Pho Hien (Hung Yen province), Cu Lao Cham (Quang Nam province), Hoi An (Quang Nam province), Thi Nai (Binh Dinh province), Gia Dinh (Ho Chi Minh city), Ha Tien (Kien Giang province), etc.
To understand the role of the East Sea along with ancient cities and ports of Vietnam as well as the exchange of trade and culture between Vietnam and other civilizations along the maritime trade road and the history of discovery and exploitation on the East Sea and to confirm the sovereign territorial sea and islands of Vietnam, the Vietnam National Museum of History in coordination with the National Boundary Commission of Vietnam, the Hoang Sa Data Center, Hung Yen Museum, Hai Phong Museum, Quang Ninh Museum, Quang Ngai Museum, the Centre of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Conservation, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Museum, Ca Mau Museum, etc. hold an exhibition entitled “Vietnam’s Maritime Cultural Heritage”.
Objects in the exhibition are diverse, including: a map on archaeological ports of Vietnam, a map on ancient spices road, etc. along with many artifacts in various material, such as: ceramic, bronze, glass from other countries that were collected in archaeological excavations. Besides, there are domestic and foreign documents on trade and the sovereign territorial sea and islands of Vietnam. The exhibition concentrates on 3 periods:
- The Vietnam Maritime Cultural Heritage from the prehistory to the 10th century;
- From the 11th century to the 18th century;
- From the 19th century to today.
The exhibition is opening on May 18th 2012 to celebrate Uncle Ho’s birthday (May 19th 2012) and the International Museum Day (May 18th 2012). It will run until November 2012 at the Vietnam National Museum of History, 25 Tong Dan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
The Vietnam National Museum of History would like to inform visitors.
Thu Nhuan