For
nearly 20 years, farmer Vu Lap has collected old artefacts.

Lap, 54, returned from
the army after the American War to his home in Doi Lanh Hamlet in the northern
province of Bac Giang. He was promoted to become head of the Lien Son
Co-operative, and chief of Dong Son Village.

After many years, he
stepped down go into business. At first, he traded in bonsai. Then, he found
some stone artefacts that looked as though they might have been made by people
long ago.

A neighbour had also
recovered a rust-eaten steel and bronze dish that had been found by the Thuong
River, which he decided to buy. Since that fateful day, Lap began collecting
ancient artefacts including knives, limepots, bowls, and axes. As his collection
expanded he gained the nickname “Lap do co” (Lap the Antique Collector).

“I has hundreds of
artefacts with many kinds of earthenware pots, teapots, bowls, limepots,
kettles, cups and bows, and ancient coins,” said Lap, adding that he is proud of
his contribution in maintaining the cultural value of the various people who
settled the area.

Collector’s item: Stone artefacts from Lap’s collection (above). Farmer Vu Lap shows off one of his most prized finds. — File Photos

“I have now over 100
stone artefacts that have been dated by the Institute of Archaeology, National
Cultural Heritage Department and Bac Giang Provincial Museum as being thousands
of years old,” he said.

” All of these stone
artefacts have been fished out from the Thuong River’s portion running through
Dong Son Village so I was confusing that the land was an important settlement
area for ancient Viet people,” he added.

Lap said he pays
millions of dong for artefacts, but he doesn’t indulge in trading. However he’s
happy to give close friends an artefact. He has also presented dozens of
valuable items to Bac Giang Provincial Museum, the Museum of the Second Army
Corps, and many others.

“We appreciated Lap’s
efforts in collecting and preserving these artefacts. They are very useful for
scientists and archaeologists,” said an official from the provincial museum.

Lap is now a member of
Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Association. Many of his artefacts are listed in the
book Bac Giang Cultural Heritage – Archaeology, and are highly appreciated for
their historical value.

Lap said he plans to
open a small private museum featuring artefacts that he has collected and a
website at Lapdoco.com.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News