Musical instrument recognised as national treasure

BÌNH PHƯỚC — A ceremony to announce Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc’s decision to recognise the lithophone, a unique musical instrument of Lộc Hòa Commune in the southern province of Bình Phước, 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 Bình Phước Province recognised as a national treasure.

It was discovered by local Bùi Hữu Triều living in Hamlet 8, Lộc Hòa Commune in Bình Phước 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 Sông Bé Museum (former name of Bình Phước 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 Đỗ Minh Trung, the vice director of the provincial department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Phạm Hữu Hiến, the vice director of Bình Phước’s Museum, revealed that the museum plans to exhibit Lộc Hòa lithophone and to preserve and promote its value. — VNS