Hot developments in the case of destroying the throne in Hue: 2 guards end bitterly, the perpetrator eats prison rice

The case of the national treasure being destroyed caused a stir in public opinion has just had a new development. Not only did the perpetrators have to pay the price, but the 2 security guards of the relic also received a bitter end for allowing a serious incident to happen.

On June 1, the Hue Ancient Capital Relics Conservation Center conducted a review meeting to handle collective and individual responsibilities related to the incident of the Nguyen Dynasty throne – a national treasure located at Thai Hoa Palace, Dai Noi Hue – being vandalized on May 24. The incident is considered serious, affecting the national cultural heritage, and at the same time attracting attention from the public.

According to the report, the Hue Ancient Capital Relics Conservation Center – the unit that directly manages the relics – and departments such as the Protection Management Department, Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum have been asked to review and learn from deep experience before the Hue City People's Committee. Members of the Center's Board of Directors must review their management and supervision responsibilities for the incident to occur.

Notably, two security guards who were directly present at the time of the incident, Mr. Dang Quang Long and Mr. Dao Hoang Vu, were disciplined in the form of forced dismissal. In addition, the leader and deputy team of the Thai Hoa Palace and Kien Trung Palace Protection Team, including Mr. Ta Huu Vu, Cao Van Ngoc and Le Thanh Phuc, were also disciplined in the form of reprimands.

Regarding the investigation development, on the same day, on June 1, a representative of the People's Procuracy of Hue City confirmed that it had approved the decision to prosecute the accused and the temporary detention order for Ho Van Phuong Tam (born in 1983, permanently residing in Huong Long Ward, Hue City) for the act of "Intentionally damaging property". Tam was detained for 3 months to serve the investigation.

Previously, at 11:55 a.m. on May 24, Ho Van Phuong Tam bought a ticket to visit the Dai Noi Hue relic. During the process of moving to the Thai Hoa power station, the subject was recorded to have abnormal behavior. Although he was invited by a security guard to leave the throne display area, the subject then turned around, sneaked into the treasure area and sat on the throne of the Nguyen dynasty. He repeatedly screamed and broke the backrest in front of his left hand.

Images extracted from the surveillance camera system show that at the time of the incident, both security guards were present in the Thai Hoa power area. After the incident, the authorities made a record, collected evidence and brought the subject to the headquarters to work.

Background information shows that Ho Van Phuong Tam was born in Hue, used to live in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City but does not stay with her family and often changes her place of accommodation. In July 2023, Tam was sentenced by the People's Court of Tan Binh District (Ho Chi Minh City). Ho Chi Minh City) issued a decision to send him to a compulsory rehabilitation facility under administrative handling. In early May 2025, the subject returned to Hue and had time to live wandering after being refused by relatives to stay. On May 24, it caused an incident of destroying treasures.

Immediately after the incident, the Hue City People's Committee issued an Official Letter to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reporting the results of handling the case and implementing the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh. The official letter clearly states that the steps to review and handle the responsibilities of relevant individuals and organizations have been implemented in a timely manner.

At the press conference on May 30, a representative of the leadership of the Hue Ancient Capital Relics Conservation Center said that the incident was rare, seriously affecting the prestige of managing and protecting cultural heritage and required to further tighten security and control people entering and exiting important artifact display areas. In the coming time, the security work at attractions will be strengthened with the review of the entire monitoring system, improving the capacity of officials directly doing security work.

Currently, the Hue Ancient Capital Relics Conservation Center is coordinating with experts to restore artifacts to assess the extent of damage to the throne, make appropriate restoration plans, and ensure original and aesthetic elements. At the same time, the authorities continue to expand the investigation into the behavior of the subject as well as the responsibilities of relevant individuals and management units.

Nguyen Dynasty throne: the only one still intact, King Bao Dai sat last Mỹ Hoa22:04:51 25/05/2025On May 24, a man visiting Thai Hoa Palace, part of the Hue Imperial City, climbed over the protective fence and broke some parts of the throne. The incident caused public outrage.