HCMC – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has successfully negotiated with Millon, a French auction house, to repatriate the gold seal under the Minh Mang Emperor’s reign.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, negotiations to repatriate the gold seal succeeded on November 14, in the spirit of mutual consensus, understanding of the two parties and the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France. The ministry will coordinate with related parties to repatriate the antique at the earliest in compliance with the two countries’ regulations.

The gold seal not only supplements the nation’s collection of illegally-exported artifacts and cultural heritage but also reinforces the position and influence of the country, said a representative of the ministry.

Millon previously rescheduled twice the auction date to create favorable conditions for Vietnam to negotiate a direct purchase of the gold seal from the auction house.

The starting price of the antique offered by Millon was from two to three million euro, equal to VND48 billion to VND72 billion.

The gold seal under the Minh Mang Emperor’s reign had been used for the country’s public and political activities, carrying significant historical and cultural value.