France Returns 2,000-Year-Old Bronze Drum to Vietnam, Boosting Cultural Ties

France has returned a 2,000-year-old bronze drum, a significant historical artifact of the Dong Son culture, to Vietnam. This drum is considered a representative relic of the Bronze Age in Southeast Asia, deeply connected to the advanced metallurgical techniques of the Dong Son culture and Vietnam's history. The French Ministry of Culture described the return as evidence of the strong diplomatic and cultural relations between France and Vietnam. The event also demonstrated the effectiveness of coordination among French state agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. During a meeting between the Vietnamese leader and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on September 10, General Secretary and President To Lam expressed sincere appreciation to the French side for returning the Dong Son bronze drum as part of the two countries' commitment to combating illicit trafficking of cultural property. He also acknowledged the donation of several artifacts to the Museum of the Communist Party of Vietnam. President Lam proposed that France continue to support Vietnam in researching, restoring, preserving, and promoting the values of the country's heritage and historic structures, including Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi and French colonial-era villas, with the participation of French architects. Dong Son bronze drums are iconic items of the Dong Son culture, a Metal Age archaeological culture dating from 700 B.C. to 100 A.D., exemplifying the fine metalworking of the age. They have been used as bronze musical instruments and traditional ritual objects since the time of the Van Lang nation – the first nation in Vietnam's history. These drums are typically large, well-proportioned, and decorated with patterns depicting ancient Vietnamese people. The Dong Son culture is named after Dong Son village on the bank of the Ma River in Thanh Hoa province.