Musical instrument recognised as national treasure

BINH PHUOC — A ceremony to announce Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s decision to recognise the lithophone, a unique musical instrument of Loc Hoa Commune in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, as a national treasure was held at the provincial museum on Tuesday.

The event, organised by the local department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aims to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day that falls on September 2.

The lithophone was the first item from Binh Phuoc Province recognised as a national treasure.

It was discovered by local Bui Huu Trieu living in Hamlet 8, Loc Hoa Commune in Binh Phuoc District in 1996 in his garden. After excavating 12 bars of lithophone arranged closely in increasing dimension order, he immediately informed authorities and then unearthed another 14 bars.

Once they received the information, the commune’s authority worked with Song Be Museum (former name of Binh Phuoc Province’s Museum) and scientists to research the objects.

Studies by both domestic and international researchers and organsitions have confirmed the historical and cultural values of the ancient musical instrument.

The 3,000-year-old lithophone is a typical evidence of the presence of ancient Vietnamese within the province as well as their rich culture, said Do Minh Trung, the vice director of the provincial department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Pham Huu Hien, the vice director of Binh Phuoc’s Museum, revealed that the museum plans to exhibit Loc Hoa lithophone and to preserve and promote its value. — VNS