The 16 artifacts belong to the Nghe Temple collection, located in Le Chan District, Hai Phong City, the hometown of Lady General Le Chan. The temple is dedicated to Lady Le Chan, a commander during the Trung Sisters' rebellion against Chinese domination in the first century.
The collection features a gold betel leaf, a gold areca nut cluster, four gold plaques, a plain gold leaf, a gold fan, three pairs of gold earrings, two gold lip balm boxes, a pair of gold bracelets, a gold bead string, and gold buttons.
A standout piece in the collection is the gold bead string (pictured), which comprises 999 beads meticulously crafted from 24K gold using a casting technique. The beads are spherical with central holes and smooth, polished surfaces.
The betel leaf and areca nut cluster, weighing 22.6 grams and crafted from 95% pure gold, are vividly detailed and well-preserved. In Vietnamese folk beliefs, betel leaf and areca nut hold deep symbolic significance as indispensable components of traditional offerings to deities and ancestors, representing respect and reverence.
A pair of gold plaques inscribed with “Duc Bao Trung Hung” are crafted from 95%–97% pure gold. The phrase, meaning "Virtuous Protector of Restoration," was an honorary title bestowed upon General Le Chan by Emperor Thanh Thai in 1903.
The plaques are rectangular and adorned with intricate floral patterns along the edges. Within the borders are small circular motifs, complemented by dragon imagery characteristic of the Nguyen Dynasty surrounding a central sun emblem.
According to records from the Hai Phong Museum, the 16 artifacts were entrusted to the National Bank of Vietnam in 1959 by caretaker Pham Ba Hung, weighing nearly 400 grams in total. In 1976, they were transferred to the Hai Phong branch of the State Bank of Vietnam. Recognizing the collection's cultural and historical significance, the Hai Phong Department of Culture and Sports this year requested the bank to transfer the artifacts to the museum for preservation and display.
The gold plaques, crafted from 24K gold with 98% purity, are shaped like gourds, featuring round holes at both the top and bottom. The plaques are adorned with embossed patterns and inscriptions, including “Thu An” (酧恩), which translates to "to show gratitude."
One gold plaque is rectangular with rounded corners. Researchers estimate that these artifacts date back to the Nguyen Dynasty, between 1920 and 1927. They were donated by locals to Nghe Temple as a tribute to Lady General Le Chan.
The gold bracelets are made of 24K gold, featuring hollow bodies with smooth, plain surfaces. They are joined with rivets, and the clasps are embellished with a stylized chrysanthemum-like design comprising 11 rays. Each clasp includes a linked chain adorned with a heart on one end and a five-pointed star on the other.
The collection also features gold earrings, lip balm boxes, and gold buttons. Experts regard the artifacts of Nghe Temple as unique masterpieces, showcasing the pinnacle of goldsmithing techniques during the Nguyen Dynasty.
One of the gold earrings features hollow spherical shapes adorned with eight small circular motifs and intricate spiral designs. The earring is further embellished with dragonfly-wing-like decorations and inscribed with “Cung” (㳟, meaning reverence) and “Tien” (進, meaning advancement). However, the gemstones that were originally embedded in the circular motifs are now missing.
The collection of Nghe Temple is currently on display and preserved at the Hai Phong Museum in Hai Phong City.
Lady Le Chan is credited with founding the An Bien region (modern-day Hai Phong), which later became a critical base in the fight for Vietnamese independence. She played a pivotal role in mobilizing forces, rallying local support, and leading troops in battle alongside the Trung Sisters.
Her legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and strength, inspiring generations of Vietnamese, particularly in Hai Phong, where she is venerated as a cultural and historical icon. Temples, festivals, and landmarks commemorate her contributions to the nation's quest for sovereignty.
