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Among Vietnam’s cultural heritage treasures, the golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” (Treasure of the Emperor) is not only a precious artifact of the Nguyen Dynasty but also a symbol of the supreme imperial power—a testimony to the monarchy that once existed and thrived for over a century. Having gone through many historical upheavals, the journey of this seal is a remarkable story, filled with drama and deeply marked by the tides of history.
The golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” was cast in the 8th year of Minh Mang’s reign (1827), made of solid gold, weighing over 10 kilograms. On its face are engraved the four Chinese characters “Hoàng đế chi bảo” (皇帝之寶), meaning “Treasure of the Emperor.” This seal was used to stamp important royal documents such as imperial edicts, decrees, and orders—symbolizing the supreme authority of the head of state.
After Emperor Bao Dai abdicated on August 30, 1945, he handed over the golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” and the imperial sword to the representative of the Provisional Revolutionary Government at the Kien Trung Palace (Hue). However, during the wartime chaos that followed, the seal disappeared for decades and was believed to be lost. After the National Resistance Day (December 1946), no further information was available regarding the storage location of the seal and sword.
Somehow, these two artifacts fell into the hands of the French. On March 8, 1952, the French returned the seal and sword to the former emperor Bao Dai, who was then serving as Chief of State (under the French protectorate). From that time until he went into exile in France after 1955 (when Ngo Dinh Diem deposed him), the seal is believed to have remained in Bao Dai’s possession.
While living in France, Bao Dai married Monique Baudot, who later declared herself “Empress Thai Phuong.” Before his death in 1997, Bao Dai was believed to have left a will that transferred many of his belongings, including the golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo,” to Monique.
After Monique passed away in 2021, those belongings were inherited by her successors and put up for auction in November 2022. The sudden appearance of “Hoàng đế chi bảo” in the catalog of a renowned auction house in France drew special attention from researchers, the media, and the Vietnamese public, for it was not only a rare antique but also a symbol of national sovereignty.
In light of deep public concern, the Vietnamese Government made efforts to negotiate and coordinate with the French side to bring the golden seal back home. Finally, in November 2022, with the agreement of all parties involved, Vietnam successfully repatriated the seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” after more than 70 years of exile. The person who directly purchased the artifact was Mr. Nguyen The Hong, a businessman and well-known antiquities collector from Bac Ninh. He spent 6.1 million euros (equivalent to more than 153 billion VND) to acquire the seal from the Millon auction house, under the protection of the Vietnamese Government and relevant authorities to ensure the repatriation was lawful, safe, and complete.
Currently, the golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” is on display at the Nam Hong Royal Museum, located in Dinh Bang ward, Tu Son city, Bac Ninh province. The museum was established and is managed by Mr. Nguyen The Hong himself, with the goal of preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage.
The seal is placed in a special exhibition room, protected by a strict security system including surveillance cameras and round-the-clock guards. At present, the museum is not open to the general public, and mainly welcomes experts and special guests.
On December 31, 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam signed a decision recognizing the golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” as a National Treasure. This not only affirms the exceptional historical and cultural value of the seal but also reflects the State’s appreciation for the efforts of individuals in heritage preservation.
Mr. Nguyen The Hong has also signed a commitment with the Department of Cultural Heritage, stating that if he no longer wishes to keep the seal, he will transfer it to the State. This ensures that in the future, the seal will continue to be preserved and its value properly promoted.
The return of the golden seal is not merely the restoration of a precious artifact, but an act of affirming the cultural identity, history, and sovereignty of Vietnam. The golden seal “Hoàng đế chi bảo” is no longer just an object of a bygone monarchy—it has become a spiritual symbol connecting the past with the present, reminding today’s generation of a historical period full of upheaval, yet also filled with pride for the nation.
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