The seminar, organised in Hanoi last week, provided an opportunity for experts and researchers to share their views about Buddhism in Vietnam, its philosophy and the ideas presented by the sculptures, statues and icons.

Nearly 200 Buddhist artefacts dating from the early Common Era to the 18th and 19th century Nguyen Dynasty are on display at the exhibition, which will run until August 2013.

Visitors can view a wide range of Vietnamese Buddhist treasures, including 9th century Buddha heads from ancient Champa, tiles decorated with Buddha images from the 7th-10th centuries, and lotus flower lamps from the Ly Dynasty.

At the seminar, Vietnamese culture researcher Prof. Tran Lam Bien delivered a presentation about the history of Vietnamese Buddhism, presenting basic knowledge about the Buddhist philosophical and ideological outlook on life and the world; and the significance of works of art and sculpture, worship statues and other objects.

Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam very early and was quickly embraced by local people. It has adapted itself over thousands of years to become an integral part of Vietnamese culture represented by impressive temple architecture and statues, as well as its philosophy, ethics, literature and rituals.