The exhibits, coming from the collection of the National Museum of History, include objects of worship in various forms and styles. A number of unique and rare objects are being showed to the public for the first time ever.

Worshiping statues featuring the Bodhisattva, the Sakyamuni Buddha, Buddhas of the Three Stages; and horizontal lacquered boards are also on display at the exhibition.

The artworks not only highlight the aesthetic awareness and talent of Vietnamese craftsmen but also tell stories of Vietnam’s history, arts, customs, religions and beliefs.

The objects date back from Viet Nam’s Ly and Nguyen dynasties (from the 16th to 20th centuries), a period when the trade of lacquered and gilded wares flourished.

Lacquered and gilded wares are longstanding trades of the Vietnamese people. Such objects have been found during excavations of tombs in archaeological sites in the Red River Delta, which are believed to date back some 2,000 years ago.

The exhibition will run through November this year at the National Museum of History, 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi.