ANCIENT ARTIFACTS - Visitors view photos on the history and development of Óc Eo culture, as well as the preservation work of the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological site at an exhibition in An Giang Province. VNA/VNS Photo Công Mạo

AN GIANG — An exhibition showcasing documents of Óc Eo culture has opened in the Cửu Long Delta province of An Giang.

The event aims to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological site in the town of Óc Eo, Thoại Sơn District, which was recognised as a special national site.

The exhibition presents more than 200 photos and documents, offering an overview of history and development of Óc Eo culture as well as the preservation work of the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological site.

The event features results from national and international research on the Óc Eo culture, and international cooperation on restoration with experts from South Korea, France and India.

It also honours the people’s contribution to the preservation and development of Óc Eo culture in the province by gifting ancient Óc Eo artefacts to local authorities.

Nguyễn Hữu Giềng, director of the Óc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board, said, “through the exhibition, the province expects to introduce the values of Óc Eo culture to its residents, and local and foreign visitors.”

“In addition, the event hopes to attract tourism agencies in the province and neighbouring localities to create specific tourism products in terms of history, culture, tourism, river ecology and rural livelihoods,” he added.

The Óc Eo culture of the ancient kingdom of Phù Nam was first discovered in 1944 via artefacts discovered within Ba Thê Mountain, now in the town of Óc Eo.

As of now, there are more than 80 Óc Eo cultural archaeological relics found across An Giang located in Tri Tôn and Tịnh Biên districts and several other towns.

The Óc Eo - Ba Thê is the most important relic site. It is believed to have been a prosperous commercial port of the once-powerful Phù Nam Kingdom two millennia ago.

Việt Nam submitted a summary report on the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological site to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre requesting its inclusion on the tentative list of World Heritage Profiles.

The exhibition on Óc Eo culture will open until October 27 at the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological site. — VNS