Vietnam’s largest poetry book entitled “Hoa Lu Thi Tap” received the World Records Union’s (Worldkings) certificate for the World’s Unique Epic at a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 5.

“Hoa Lu Thi Tap” is a collection of 121 poems written by Prof. PhD Hoang Quang Thuan, Dean of the Institute of Telecommunication Technology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

They encapsulate the historic period of 1,000 years spanning the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties of Vietnam until 1,010 when King Ly Cong Uan moved the royal capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long.

Unveiling the certificate. Photo: zing.vn

The book, with its covers made of rare wood and carved with dragon images, weighs 54 kilograms and measures 109cm x 70cm x 10cm. The poems are written in Vietnamese calligraphy by painter Tran Quoc An.

The cultural and historic values of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu described in the book has been translated into English and French to popularize to international friends. There are 2,500 copies of “Hoa Lu thi tap” issued in three languages: Vietnamese, English and French.

According to a Worldkings representative, the book is a priceless work of art that preserves the national history for posterity while contributing to popularizing Vietnamese culture to the world.

The giant book was created to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Thang long-Hanoi. It was recognized as the biggest poetry book made in Vietnam on November 4, 2010.

An exhibition on the book will be opened to the public by the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Preservation Centre soon.

Source: VNA