Nguyen The Hong: The antiquities tycoon once caused a stir when he spent more than 156 billion VND to buy the "Emperor chi bao" gold seal.

Nguyen The Hong is known as a wealthy businessman in Bac Ninh. He is a prominent figure in the world of antiques collecting and research and is known as a collector of cultural artifacts from the Kinh Bac region.

In February 2023, the news that Vietnam had successfully purchased the Emperor Chi Bao gold seal attracted great attention from domestic public opinion. Accordingly, the contract worth more than 6.1 million Euro (more than 156 billion VND) was signed on January 12 French time and January 13 Vietnamese time.

Accordingly, based on the results of research and comparison of documents, this golden seal (at Millon Auction Company) is the original artifact cast in the 4th year of Minh Menh (1823) as recorded in Dai Nam. In fact, Kham Dinh Dai Nam's event records as well as the minutes and pictures of handing over the sword seal of the French government to Hea.d of State Bao Dai on March 8, 1952 are currently kept at the National Archives Center I. .

Cast in pure gold, the Emperor's royal seal is cast in pure gold. This treasure was passed down from the reign of King Minh Mang to the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, Bao Dai.

Accordingly, the person who successfully signed a contract to buy the Emperor's golden seal from Millon auction house (France) was Mr. Nguyen The Hong. Before this 'final blow', this secretive tycoon had a long-standing passion for antiquities and was also the Chairman of the Kinh Bac Antiquities Research and Collection Association.

According to research, Mr. Nguyen The Hong (born 1961) is a businessman who has many years of experience in the field of construction and real estate in Bac Ninh.

He has a passion for antiques and has been collecting antiques since a very early ag.e. He founded the Nam Hong Royal Museum (Tu Son district, Bac Ninh) to display his massive collection of antiques, along with Nam Hong Royal Museum Co., Ltd. (operating from May 2022) with many research, collection and business activities, including brokerage and auction activities. This museum of antiquities is said to be "very large" - according to Mr. Hong on Tuoi Tre Newspaper.

Currently, this private museum owns up to 5,000 valuable cultural, artistic and historical artifacts. There are 6 collections including the Bronze Collection of the Dong Son culture period; Collection of Vietnamese ceramics and porcelain through periods such as the Ly, Tran, Le, Nguyen dynasties...

This is also the place that was once named as one of three private units that own antiquities recognized as national treasures by the Prime Minister.

A rich man with a passion for antiques once shared: "In addition to the key factors of financial ability and burning passion, antiquities enthusiasts need to have a "fate with things". With rare items. Being "unique" to own it is a fate.

Each object has a soul, imbued with and crystallizing the quintessence of human culture. Players, collecting antiques is preserving cultural heritage. Passionate about hunting for antiques, I always believe in spiritual elements. When I respect objects, new objects come to me. If you want to own precious objects, you must always act like a noble person by constantly cultivating cultural knowledge, understanding history and geography...".

Besides the Nam Hong Royal Museum, this tycoon's family is also planning a cultural tourism area in Tu Son city to exhibit typical antiques of our country and the world, creating places to visit for tourists.

Before attracting attention with the Emperor's golden seal, not long ago, the Nam Hong Royal Museum was also named among three private units that own antiques recognized as national treasures by the Prime Minister.

The Dong Son Culture bronze jar, dated about 2,200 - 2,300 years ago, belonging to the Nam Hong Royal Museum was recognized as a national treasure along with 26 other precious objects across the country on January 30, 2023.

This national treasure was transferred by the Nam Hong Royal Museum from antiquities collector Tran Quoc Binh on December 30, 2021. Currently, the jar is solemnly displayed on the 5th floor of the building of Nam Hong Company Limited (in Tu Son City, Bac Ninh). In the national treasure profile, this company said it is preparing a promotional strategy to attract visitors.

Looking up information on the Masothue website, in addition to Nam Hong Museum, Mr. Nguyen The Hong is also the legal representative of two other companies located in Bac Ninh: Nam Hong Co., Ltd. (operating since 1998) and Investment Group Joint Stock Company. Vietnam Rababeka Private Limited (operating since 2008).

In particular, Nam Hong Company's business fields are exploiting stone, gravel, clay, and repairing machinery and equipment, constructing public works... In the province, Nam Hong invests in projects Sports center, school, public works, urban area project in Dong Ky ward, Tu Son town, Bac Ninh province (Lotus Vuon Project) with a scale of 19.6 hectares, total investment capital 507.7 billion VND.

In 2021, this business was fined 70 million VND for not having a certified environmental protection plan according to the regulations of this project. Previously, Nam Hong Company was also administratively fined 250 million VND by the Provincial People's Committee for signing a business cooperation contract with Century Real Estate Joint Stock Company (CenLand) in the project without issuing a document to send it. Department of Construction to issue notices of housing eligible to mobilize capital according to regulations.

Mr. Nguyen The Hong also used to be the legal representative of IGS Vietnam Group Joint Stock Company - introduced as a state-owned joint venture with foreign countries. The business has now ceased operations.

In the media, there is not much news about the activities of this secretive tycoon.