In the poetic space in the heart of Da Nang, antique enthusiasts took locals and tourists back in time with artifacts from the last century. These included a Lambretta, a Japanese black and white TV, a rotary phone, a typewriter, a film camera, a chicken iron, a clay pot, a betel lime container, a canteen, a kettle, a pith helmet and ceramics.

Tourists visit the Da Nang Antique Market at the Museum of Da Nang

These are familiar images of antique markets organised by the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Association since 2015. From the first edition called ‘The First Da Nang Antique Market in 2015’ at the Museum of Da Nang, this activity has been organised and maintained regularly once or twice a year by the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Association and the Museum of Da Nang on the occasion of National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1), and Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23)…

A gathering place for “time keepers”

“People who love antiques and old objects are truly culture lovers. They learn about ancient stories from each antique to exchange and share with one another without any competitive mindset. There are very valuable artifacts but not many people know about them. Therefore, it is need to launch a playground for artifacts and their collectors”, Director of the Museum of Da Nang Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien said while mentioning antique markets.

Among the passionate people that Mr. Thien mentioned, there were many people who used to trade in antiques along Trieu Nu Vuong - Tang Bat Ho Street. On mats and old canvas, they displayed all kinds of items, from war relics to old aluminum objects, vases, cups, plates, telephones, clocks, cassette players...Although such markets gradually disappeared due to changes in consumer trends, they still pursued antiques as a hobby that was hard to give up.

With the support in terms of organisation and promotion from the Museum of Da Nang, the Da Nang Antique Market made its debut, gathering many members of the Han River Cultural Heritage Association, the Da Nang Antiques Collectors’ Association and individual collectors in Da Nang and neighbouring Quang Nam Province, and later, the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Association, under the Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Association.

Recalling the fair event nine years ago, collector Bach Loc, the Head of the Da Nang Antique Fair Association under the Da Nang Cultural Heritage Association, recalled: “It is very unique to have an antique fair taking place for the first time in Da Nang, gathering all the people with the same passion”.

With this passion, Mr. Loc and the members want to share and preserve the old features through old items, thereby sending the stories of the predecessors to the next generation, create connections and exchanges between the community of antique lovers from different localities. At the antique fairs, there are people from the North to the South who come to Da Nang to hunt for antiques with the purpose of seriously building up their own collection.

There were items that are several decades to hundreds of years old, including Kodak film cameras from the 70s of the last century, a Lambretta "super car" or an oil lamp from the 50s, a Jiangxi ceramic vase from the subsidy period of the 80s.

There were also items that remind us of our childhood, such as a black and white Japanese domestic TV brand Panasonic, a chicken iron that used coal, old banknotes. Many artifacts reminded visitors of the past and historical stories behind them.

Cultural space for visitors to enjoy

According to Mr. Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien, in nearly 10 years of organisation, the antique markets have contributed to conveying to the majority of local residents and visitors the cultural and historical values from each artifact. From that result, the museum staff cherished the idea of a permanent space, gathering valuable artifacts for introduction to the public.

“I am thinking about the time when the Museum of Da Nang at 42 Bach Dang officially comes into operation. There will be the idea of integrating artifacts into a cultural space for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can stop by to drink coffee, see valuable artifacts on display and listen to stories from them. Those old artifacts can be gathered from collectors, antique enthusiasts, and can be typical representatives of the ancient culture and lives of Da Nang people and those in many other localities. To be honest, we always wish and will try to create such a space,” Mr. Thien said.

According to collector Tam Le, a permanent space opened will be a playground for people with the same passion to come and exchange antiques, and will also be a highlight to attract tourists. He suggested that antique markets should be held more regularly, perhaps every week, which is also a way to develop the antique collection community in the city.

Collectors recalled the fair held at the Bien Dong (East Sea) Park in 2022. That fair, with the support of the Son Tra Peninsula Management Board and Da Nang tourist beaches, attracted many domestic and foreign tourists to visit. For them, to realize the idea of an antique and antique space for the community, support from local authorities, management agencies, and cultural organisations is needed so that the fairs can be maintained for a long time. Especially with good promotion, events can attract the public and last forever.

Reporting by XUAN SON – Translating by A.THU