The woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty are a valuable cultural heritage of Vietnam, consisting of 34,618 wooden plates engraved during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). This collection is stored at the National Archives Center IV in Da Lat, Lam Dong, and was recognized by UNESCO as documentary heritage in the “Memory of the World Program” in 2009.
1. Content and Historical Value
The woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty contain a vast amount of information on various fields, from history and culture to science and law. These woodblocks record major events, chronicles of kings and rulers, wars, governing policies, administrative documents, religious practices, and even information about geography and medicine. Some prominent works in this collection include:
Dai Nam Thuc Luc: An important historical chronicle that documents the entire history of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Hoang Viet Luat Le (also known as the Gia Long Code): A compilation of the legal regulations of that time.
Poetry and classical literature collections of the kings and famous writers.
In addition to political and social records, the woodblocks are also valuable anthropological documents, helping us understand the mindset and customs of the Vietnamese people during the feudal era.
2. Crafting Process and Woodblock Engraving Techniques
Artisans used Thị or Vông wood, durable types of wood that are easy to carve and do not warp, to create these woodblocks. Each woodblock was engraved in reverse with Chinese or Nom characters, so that when printed onto paper, the characters would appear correctly oriented. The engraving technique required great precision and meticulousness, with artisans needing high skill levels to render the characters clearly and sharply.
3. Uniqueness and Contribution to Cultural Heritage
This collection of woodblocks is not only a valuable documentary heritage in terms of content but also holds artistic and technical value. It reflects the talent and dedication of ancient artisans and serves as evidence of the development of woodblock printing in Vietnam.
UNESCO’s recognition of the woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty as documentary heritage affirms the unique value of this collection in preserving and sharing the knowledge, culture, and history of Vietnam with the world.
