# data[].attributes.body
The Vietnamese zodiac, which corresponds to the Lunar Calendar. This divides the year into 12 stems, each of which has a corresponding animal. Traits associated with each animal are then assigned to persons born in the year associated with that animal. The Vietnamese zodiac differs from the Chinese zodiac in that the Vietnamese includes a Buffalo instead of an Ox and a Cat instead of a Rabbit.

Source:

https://www.vietnamonline.com/culture/vietnamese-zodiac.html

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Laborers hauling salt wearing non la hats, central Vietnam

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Laborers hauling salt wearing non la hats, central Vietnam

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Image source:
https://www.globaljourneys.com/trip/royal-caribbean-sc12i083

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Scholar writing couplets with calligraphy for the Lunar New Year while children look on. Note that the couplets are usually printed in fancy script Vietnamese writing rather than Chinese characters (which are not used in Vietnam anymore). It is traditional to display couplets on the occasion of the New Year in one’s home.

Source:
https://vinwonders.com/en/news/vietnam-holiday-enchant-your-trip-with-festivities-throughout-the-year/

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Dolls wearing Aó Dài tunics, considered the “national dress” of Vietnam. The tunic is worn over pants. Traditionally, both men and women wear an Aó Dài for a wedding, or sometimes for other special occasions, such as Tet or Lunar New Year. The color red, similar to China, is considered to be a very lucky color and is often used for weddings as well.

Photo: Margaret B. Bodemer

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Kylin (Kỳ lân) Water Puppet, northern Vietnam

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Kylin (Kỳ lân) Water Puppet, northern Vietnam

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Water puppetry is a traditional village entertainment that appeared frequently in northern Vietnam until present times. The puppeteers stand in waist-deep water behind a screen and control the lacquered wooden puppets using long poles under water.

Source: Margaret Bodemer

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This syncretic religion emerged in 1926 after founder Ngo Van Chieu’s prophecy. An estimated 2 million follow the religion today, many of whom live outside of Vietnam.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cao-Dai

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_Dai

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Christianity was first introduced to Vietnam in the 16th century. Today they are about 9% of the population (including Catholics and Protestants) in the country. Among Vietnamese people abroad, there are a higher percentage who are Christians, owing to the fact that many left the country for fear of persecution after the American/Vietnam War.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Vietnam#:~:text=Christianity%20was%20first%20introduced%20to,true%20number%20might%20be%20higher.

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Buddhism was introduced around the 2nd century BCE by way of China (Buddhism first emerged in India). The majority of Vietnamese in Vietnam belong to one of a few different schools or sects of Buddhism. However, a majority of Vietnamese abroad are Catholics or Christians.

Source:
https://www.vietnam-tour.biz/buddhism-in-vietnam/

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In Vietnamese culture, traditionally multiple generations live together to take care of each other. A typical extended family includes grandparents, parents and children. The saying “mot giot mau dao hon ao nuoc la” meaning “blood is thicker than water” is a common one. Generally, a family hierarchy goes by gender (male) and age (elder) but this may change somewhat with immigration and resettling in America and elsewhere. Honorific titles and terms of address illustrate respect and one’s place in the family.

Sources:

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/vietnamese-culture/vietnamese-culture-family

https://www.itourvn.com/blog/traditional-vietnamese-family-values

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Source:
https://www.itourvn.com/blog/vietnamese-traditional-toys-and-games

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"The lotus flower is often referred to in Vietnamese songs and poems."

Source:
Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Now performed internationally, the Lotus Dance was originally created in the 1600s in the Vietnamese palaces of the kings. The dance is a Buddhist tradition and mimics the opening of the lotus flower, celebrating Buddha's birth."

Source:

Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Slices of lotus are featured in bun xao, a stir fried rice noodle dish."

Source:

Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Raw lotus roots are cut up and used in salad."

Source:
Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Lotus leaves are used to wrap food such as this dish where rice is steamed in lotus leaves."

Source:

Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Young lotus stems are used in salads, stamens are dried and made into an herbal tea, and lotus seeds are eaten raw, dried or boiled."

Source:

Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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"Lotus is an important ingredient in Vietnamese culture and every part is utilized in both cuisine and medicine."

Source:

Lotus - Voyage to Vietnam

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Lotus flowers carry much symbolic meaning in Vietnam. Among those, the most well known is that the lotus stands for beauty and overcoming, as it reaches through the mud to show its beauty. It is often seen this way metaphorically to symbolize overcoming obstacles.

Source:

Lotus: 11 Facts About Vietnam's National Flower

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Non La or Conical leaf hats are iconic for Vietnam and are seen throughout the countryside. They are especially valued by farmers for their durability and for protection from the elements (sun, rain). In northern Vietnam, Chuong village is famous for making non la for at least 300 years. They are made of a bamboo frame and special dried leaves, then coated with a special protective oil.

There are even proverbs about it:

Muốn ăn cơm trắng cá trê,

Muốn đội nón tốt thì về làng Chuông.”

(Translate: If you want to have catfish with rice, or wear a good hat then come to Chuong Village)

Image source:
https://aseanvietnam.vn/en/post/conical-hat-a-popular-traditional-product-of-vietnam

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Mid Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month. It is also known as the “Children’s festival.” Special moon cakes are eaten, and children are given toy. Lanterns, masks and lion dancing are also sometimes part of the celebrations.

Source:
https://aminds.com/mid-autumn-festival-in-vietnam/

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Thanh Minh Festival is celebrated in Vietnam on the 3rd day of the 3rd Lunar month. This occasion is also known as the Tomb Sweeping festival, because it is customary to visit the graves of one’s family and ancestors. During this time, family members sweep and clean the tombs and make offerings that may include food and drinks, incense and paper offerings. Similar to China’s Qing Ming festival, although it is not an official holiday in Vietnam.

Source:
https://vietnamtimes.org.vn/qing-ming-festival-in-vietnam-when-why-and-how-it-is-celebrated-30073.html

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An extended family is gathered for Tết or Lunar New Year

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An extended family is gathered for Tết or Lunar New Year

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It is customary to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new among family. Greetings are exchanged and children are given red envelopes (li xi) containing lucky money.

Source:
https://www.indochina.tours/tet-holiday-all-about-vietnamese-lunar-new-year/

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A basket of silk scarves, northern Vietnam

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A basket of silk scarves, northern Vietnam

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Source:
https://www.itourvn.com/blog/vietnamese-silk

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Traditional loom for weaving silk threads into fabric. Vietnamese silk has become well-known for its quality and the style of its design.

Source:
https://www.itourvn.com/blog/vietnamese-silk

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Women wearing traditional style Ao Dai, or tunic dress with trousers underneath. Typically made of silk or other fine materials and distinctive of Vietnam for the past 100 years or so.

Source:
https://en.nhandan.vn/culture/item/8593502-ao-dai-design-contest-honours-national-costume.html

# data[].attributes.headline
 Woman preparing bundles of incense for market 

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 Woman preparing bundles of incense for market 

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https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/article/3129635/what-tet-vietnamese-lunar-new-year-explained

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Chè is a category of dessert that typically includes some sort of fruit or vegetable, and may also contain tapioca or jellies (similar to boba), and coconut milk. Served warm, as in this case, or cold over ice. There are many varieties of chè and if you ever see it on the menu, give it a try!

Image & Recipe: Trang

https://runawayrice.com/desserts/sweet-corn-pudding/

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This is a sweet often eaten at Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Very tasty!

Image source & Recipe: Trang

https://runawayrice.com/desserts/candied-lotus-seeds/

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Rice is made into many things, in addition to being eaten as a grain. Here you can see the process of creating rice noodles. This thin variety is called bún and often translated to vermicelli in English.

Source:

https://www.thekitchn.com/rice-noodles-1-maker-tour-218712

(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

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Vietnamese people tend to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables at “wet markets” like this one.

Source:

https://www.thekitchn.com/da-lat-vietnam-market-tour-207257

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Bánh Tết is the sticky rice cake made for the Lunar New Year in central and southern Vietnam. It is made of sticky rice and filled with fatty pork, ground mung beans, salt and pepper and fish sauce. The cake is traditionally steamed inside banana leaves. Recipe at link below.

Image courtesy of Trang

https://runawayrice.com/main-dishes/sticky-rice-mung-bean-cakes-banh-tet/#

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Bánh Chưng is a special food for Tết or Lunar New Year. It is made of sticky rice and filled with fatty pork, ground mung beans, salt and pepper and fish sauce. The cake is traditionally steamed inside banana leaves for a long time, up to 12 hours. A similar cake is common in southern and central Vietnam that is a log-like cylindrical shape, and called Bánh Tết.

Photo credit Andrea Nguyen

https://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2022/01/2022-year-of-the-water-tiger-lowdown.html

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(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

https://www.thekitchn.com/6-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-rice-221474

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A potential customer inspects cherry blossoms for sale for Tết or Lunar New Year in Hanoi

(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

https://www.thekitchn.com/flowers-for-tt-welcoming-the-new-year-in-hanoi-market-tour-216250

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Ms. Tham harvesting rice, northern Vietnam

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Ms. Tham harvesting rice, northern Vietnam

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Rice is the most important food crop in Vietnam and a staple at nearly every meal in some form.

Source:

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-rice-is-grown-in-vietnam-221419

(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

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Large ceramic vases being transported by motorbike in Bat Trang, Vietnam

(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

https://www.thekitchn.com/pottery-in-vietnam-getting-lost-in-bat-trang-maker-tour-203692

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Pottery being transported by motorbike in Bat Trang, Vietnam. Motorbikes still constitute an important means of transportation.

(Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

https://www.thekitchn.com/pottery-in-vietnam-getting-lost-in-bat-trang-maker-tour-203692

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Located in the Vietnam Museum of National History 

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Kylin statues, made in Bat Trang pottery village, northern Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945)

Photo posted on Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qilin#/media/File:Qilin_statues,_Bat_Trang_kiln,_Hanoi,_Nguyen_dynasty,_crackle_glaze_ceramics_-_National_Museum_of_Vietnamese_History_-_Hanoi,_Vietnam_-_DSC05411.JPG

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The Kylin is one of the Four Holy Beasts (Tứ Linh). It is often translated as a Unicorn because it is a combination of a horse, buffalo and a dragon. It is also sometimes thought to be a lion-horse. Kylins are common decorative motifs that first appeared in the Later Le Dynasty (1428-1789) and became popular during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). They are considered to be loyal, peaceful and merciful and thus are often seen guarding temples, pagodas and palaces. During Lunar New Year (Tet) and Mid-Autumn Festivals, Kylin dance troupes perform to loud drumming through the streets.

Image source https://magicalgains.blogspot.com/2013/05/vietnamese-mythical-creatures.html

More examples at the Vietnam National Museum of History ​​http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/3173/18939/special-exhibition-mythical-creatures-of-vietnam.html

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The Four Holy Beasts (mythical creatures)

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The Four Holy Beasts (mythical creatures)

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This is a woodblock print showing the Four Holy Beasts (Tứ Linh) The Four Holy Beasts each correspond to the cardinal directions: the Dragon (Long) - East, the Kylin Kỳ lân - West, the Turtle (Quy) - North, and the Phoenix (Phụng) - South.

In northern Vietnam, these woodblock prints were made on specially handmade paper.

Image source https://www.itourvn.com/blog/four-mythical-creatures-in-the-vietnamese-culture

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Chinese characters on the Canh Thinh bronze drum

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Chinese characters on the Canh Thinh bronze drum

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Detailed view of the 222 Chinese characters that explain why the Canh Thinh bronze drum was cast.

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/19847/canh-thinh-bronze-drum-the-echo-from-thousand-years.html

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Kylin decorative pattern on the Canh Thinh bronze drum

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Kylin decorative pattern on the Canh Thinh bronze drum

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Detailed view of Kylin decorative pattern on the Canh Thinh bronze drum. The Kylin (Kỳ lân) is one of the Four Holy Beasts (Tứ Linh). It is often translated as a Unicorn because it is a combination of a horse, buffalo and a dragon. It is also sometimes thought to be a lion-horse. The Four Holy Beasts each correspond to the cardinal directions: the Dragon (Long) - East, the Kylin or Kylin (Kỳ lân, also Qilin in Chinese) - West, the Turtle (Quy) - North, and the Phoenix (Phụng) - South.

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/19847/canh-thinh-bronze-drum-the-echo-from-thousand-years.html

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Detailed view of decorative leaves pattern on the Canh Thinh bronze drum.

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/19847/canh-thinh-bronze-drum-the-echo-from-thousand-years.html

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Vietnamese language - Ethnolinguistic Groups of Mainland Southeast Asia

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Vietnamese language - Ethnolinguistic Groups of Mainland Southeast Asia

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Vietnamese is an Austroasiatic language and the official language of Vietnam. It is spoken as a native language by over 70 million people. It is a tonal language and has drawn significant influences from Chinese in earlier times. However, unlike Chinese, Vietnamese no longer uses characters but rather a Latin script with diacritic markers for sound and tone. When France invaded Vietnam in the late 19th century, French gradually became the official language, but this changed after the end of the colonial rule in 1954.

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Passed from generation to generation, Vietnamese have told legends and folktales about their national history as well as fundamental cultural values.

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Including both poetry and narrative traditions, and among Vietnam’s many ethnic groups as well. The epic poem The Tale of Kieu is probably one of the most famous examples of Vietnamese literature.

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This category includes a large variety of instruments, singing styles and practices. Many have been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.  Drawing influence from Chinese music, as well as other Asian traditions, Vietnamese traditional folk music also boasts several unique instruments such as the Dan Bau, as well as unique singing styles such as Hat Cheo, Quan Ho and Hat Xam.

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Today the Vietnamese government officially recognizes 54 ethnic groups, including the majority group called the Kinh or ethnic Vietnamese. Ethnic minorities include the Tay, Thai, Muong, Hmong, Khmer, Nung, Dao, Hoa (Chinese) and others. Among immigrants from Vietnam, sometimes there are groups of ethnic minorities from the Central Highlands who hail from one of many ethnic groups and sometimes identify collectively as Dega, Degar or montagnards (the last from an old French term). Each ethnic group has its own language and culture although today in Vietnam they are all considered Vietnamese and usually attend nationalized, Vietnamese-language schools.

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Civilians huddle together after an attack, 1965

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This conflict overwhelmingly affected Vietnamese civilians and left many survivors with nearly unimaginable trauma. 58,000 American troops, 250,000 South Vietnamese troops, and 1 million+ north Vietnamese troops perished, while between 2-4 million Vietnamese civilians were killed in this decade-long conflict. Stemming from the desire to keep Vietnam from “going Communist” and from the crisis posed by the loss of the French in the First Indochina War from 1946-54, the American government began sending advisors in the 1950s and then troops in the mid 1960s. After years of involvement, in 1973 the US agreed to withdraw forces, leaving the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) to try and defend the south against the Chinese and Soviet-supported Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam)’s forces. This led to the surrender of South Vietnam on April 30, 1975, a day known to many who later fled the country as “Black Friday.”

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Known today in Vietnam as the Liberation of Saigon, this event marked the end of the American/Vietnam War as the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) surrendered to the forces of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). The evacuation of remaining US personnel, and their Vietnamese allies was poorly planned and poorly executed. This photo shows the evacuation atop the US Embassy, while outside the compound, thousands of Republic of Vietnam military and government personnel, and their families, attempted to flee by boat, plane, helicopter. Often recognized in Vietnamese American communities today, April 30, 1975 is often referred to abroad as “Black Friday.”

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The first memorial to include representation of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), this memorial was erected after community fundraising in Orange County. Little Saigons emerged in California as Vietnamese refugees and immigrants gathered together to form new communities.

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In the aftermath of the Fall of Saigon, several airlifts were organized to bring close to 120,000 refugees to the US. However, many thousands followed, using any available transport. It is estimated by some that nearly 1/3rd perished on the journey.

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Authors Nguyen Phan Que Mai (right) and Viet Thanh Nguyen 

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Authors Nguyen Phan Que Mai (right) and Viet Thanh Nguyen 

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Prominent authors Nguyen Phan Que Mai and Viet Thanh Nguyen have each published award-winning books, and have emerged as prominent voices.

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Bee Nguyen, First Vietnamese American state representative in Georgia

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Vietnamese-language musical variety show first conceived of in the early 1980s among Vietnamese refugees living in France. Eventually the show was moved to Orange County, CA which has a larger Vietnamese community.  The show includes musical performances, traditional folk songs, short plays and sketch comedy.

Beyond entertainment, the show connects Vietnamese communities around the world, although many in the younger generation critique it as more for the older generation. Banned in Vietnam due to a different perception of history, it remains very popular among Vietnamese abroad.

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Actor born in Vietnam, who relocated with his family to the U.S. Eventually he landed a starring role in tv show 21 Jump Street, he later became well known as a martial arts actor before becoming a filmmaker. He has made several films in both the U.S. and Vietnam, including “Once Upon a Time in Vietnam.”

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Now performed internationally, the Lotus Dance was originally created in the 1600s in the Vietnamese palaces of the kings. The dance is a Buddhist tradition and mimics the opening of the lotus flower, celebrating Buddha's birth.

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The lotus flower is often referred to in Vietnamese songs and poems.

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Adopted in 1945 in northern Vietnam, and then for the whole country after the end of the American War in 1975 and the reunification of Vietnam in 1976.

For many Vietnamese who left their country, this flag represents Communism and oppression and therefore can be triggering among Vietnamese Americans. Many Vietnamese communities in America have kept the flag that represents the now defunct Republic of Viet Nam, or South Vietnam (see other flag image).

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Flag of the Republic of Vietnam also called South Vietnam from the American/Vietnam War era. This flag was adopted as the national flag of the State of Vietnam later the Republic of Vietnam in 1948 and was used to represent South Vietnam until 1975 when the north completed their invasion of the south and announced a reunified Vietnam.

As stated above, many Vietnamese Americans identify and embrace this flag rather than the current national flag of Vietnam due to historical and political reasons. This flag is also known among overseas Vietnamese as the “Heritage and Freedom Flag.”

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Discovered in 1958, near Haiphong, northern Vietnam. Ornamentation includes twin dragons with intertwined bodies (see detail below). The body of the bell was inscribed with 250 Chinese characters. Dates to the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400)

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/20014/vietnam-national-treasure-bell-of-van-ban-pagoda.html

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Detail of the twin dragons with connected bodies atop the Bell of Van Ban Pagoda

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/20014/vietnam-national-treasure-bell-of-van-ban-pagoda.html

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A popular dish throughout Vietnam and abroad, consisting of rice paper wrapped around pork, shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli with a thick dipping sauce.

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A traditional game among children, including a bouncy ball, and 5 pairs of chopsticks. Starting with all the chopsticks on the ground, throw the ball upward, pick up a chopstick with one hand and catch the ball with the same hand. Continue until you have picked up all the chopsticks on the ground. Good for hand-eye coordination.

Source:
https://www.itourvn.com/blog/vietnamese-traditional-toys-and-games

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Pho, considered a national dish of Vietnam, has found many admirers around the world. Various types of pho exist, and debates ensue about whether or not the dish first emerged in Hanoi or Saigon.

Photo Source:

https://e.vnexpress.net/projects/nine-vietnamese-dishes-that-have-captured-the-world-s-imagination-4027097/index.html

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Associated with Saigon, banh xeo usually includes pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and veggies. Usually served with a dipping sauce and fresh herbs.

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Eating together is a common traditional value among Vietnamese families, especially for dinner. This is the time of day when the family can share and talk together. The image of a round tray of food denotes a communal meal.

Image source:
https://www.itourvn.com/blog/traditional-vietnamese-family-values

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Artisan hand drawing images of cranes on large vases at Bat Trang pottery village

Source: https://medium.com/@emilypetsko/wandering-around-pottery-town-26e62402cb6

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Traditionally painted mugs are paired with a ceramic coffee filter for making Vietnamese-style coffee. (Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

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This flower design is iconic and associated with the ancient pottery making village Bat Trang in northern Vietnam.
Source:

https://www.thekitchn.com/pottery-in-vietnam-the-ceramics-of-bat-trang-maker-tour-203693

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Coffee is a major export crop in Vietnam, grown in the Central Highlands. Traditionally, the coffee used in Vietnam is Robusta, which tends to have more caffeine than the Arabicas, which are primarily used in America.

Coffee “phin” refers to drinking coffee with the individual drip pot shown in this image. The water drips through the coffee quite slowly, lending itself to a leisurely cup of coffee, and time spent in cafes with friends. Some people like it with sweetened condensed milk, as shown here.

Vietnamese American entrepreneurs have begun to import Robusta beans and serve coffee Vietnamese-style as discussed in the article below.

Source:
https://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/2020/02/a-vietnamese-coffee-shop-is-coming-to-columbia-city

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A more Western style tea set made in Bat Trang, northern Viet Nam

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A more Western style tea set made in Bat Trang, northern Viet Nam

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The lotus flower and dragonfly patterns on this tea set are traditional symbols of Vietnam.

Source:

https://www.thekitchn.com/pottery-in-vietnam-the-ceramics-of-bat-trang-maker-tour-203693

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A traditional style tea set made in Bat Trang, northern Viet Nam, on a bamboo tray. (Image credit: Lisa Pepin)

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A Small Village with a Global Market

Bat Trang village’s expert ceramic makers export their products globally; products branded for IKEA and Target can be found in the market. Orders come in from Europe, the United States, Australia, and throughout Asia for Bat Trang’s tea sets, dishes, and vases.

There’s a huge range of shapes, colors, designs, and sizes of pottery available in Bat Trang, partly because each household has its own technique for making pottery. Depending on the timing and materials used, potters can create different shapes of pottery from the exact same mold. But there are still some themes in the designs traced on the ceramics once they’ve been shaped.

Source: https://www.thekitchn.com/pottery-in-vietnam-the-ceramics-of-bat-trang-maker-tour-2036

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Vietnamese sandwich that has exploded in popularity around the world. Based on a French-style, small baguette, with various types of fillings.

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The surface of the Ngoc Lu bronze drum, transferred from a rubbing. Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngoc_Lu_drum

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The decorative patterns on the drum include geometric motifs such as the multi-ray star, circle-and-tangent and saw-tooth. The representational motifs include patterns of houses, humans, animals and boats, expressed in different scenes: birdmen holding instruments or weapons walking in procession, warriors practicing a sacrificial ceremony on a boat, people pounding rice, drumming and breaking the casting mould of a bronze drum, and birds flying and perching.

The decoration of the drum is a reflection of the spiritual and material life of the ancient Dong Son people and mirrors the natural world of the Dong Son era, as well. Besides its main function as a musical instrument, the drum is also a symbol of power of the Dong Son chieftains.

(adapted from interpretive text at the Vietnam National Museum of History)

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Cast in the 8th year of the Canh Thinh reign, Tay Son Dynasty, 1800. The Tay Son Dynasty was established by Quang Trung after defeating the Chinese Qing invaders in 1789. Revered as a national hero today, there are many streets across the country named for Quang Trung. The drum weighs 32 kg and measures 37 cm high and 49 cm across. It features many decorative patterns and images including the Four Holy Beasts (Dragon, Kylin, Turtle and Phoenix) as all as the Longma (dragon horse) and the Holy Turtle (see below). The drum is also considered a historical source as it is inscribed with 222 Chinese characters that explain the reason it was cast.

Source: Vietnam National Museum of History

http://baotanglichsu.vn/en/Articles/1004/19847/canh-thinh-bronze-drum-the-echo-from-thousand-years.html

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Discovered in 1893 in Ha Nam, northern Vietnam. Located in the Vietnam National Museum of History (Photo: Margaret Bodemer)

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Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum from the Dong Son era, approx. 2,500 BP

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Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum from the Dong Son era, approx. 2,500 BP

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The Ngoc Lu drum is the most sophisticated and complete one among Dong Son drums discovered in Vietnam. With a drum surface measuring 79 cm  in diameter diameter and standing 63 cm high, the drum has a well-proportioned shape with distinct parts like the tympanum, the barrel (upper part), the body (middle part), and the foot (lower part).

The Ngoc Lu drum is not only evidence of a high level casting technique of the Dong Son culture but also emblematic of the creative ability of ancient Viet people.

(adapted from interpretive text at the Vietnam National Museum of History)