Many young people visit the antique exhibition. Photo H.T

Initially, the club only had  20 members, but it has now attracted 40 in Quy Nhon and districts of Tuy Phuoc, An Nhon, Phu Cat, Phu My, and Tay Son. Its members own thousands of antiques of all kinds.

The club not only connects the antique-lovers but creates favorable conditions for them to popularize their antiques to the public, aimed at raising their awareness of protecting cultural heritage.

It left people with good impression when antiques were displayed for the first time at the Tay Son – Binh Dinh Festival 2008. In a thatched cottage, various kinds of antiques were showcased, attracting many visitors.

The club organized the second exhibition at a cafe on April 30 last year, helping those who came here enjoy 100-year-old antiques. Also, many antiques were selected to join exhibitions taking place in Hue, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, and Phu Yen.

This year it coordinated with Binh Dinh Museum to organize an exhibition entitled “Vietnam’s pottery collection” taking place from April 29 to May 31.

“We highly appreciated the cooperation of the club,” said director of Binh Dinh Museum, Dinh Ba Hoa. “Its antiques of all kinds are expected to meet the public’s demand.”

The exhibition displaying more than 160 items originated from the 13th-19th centuries has attracted many students. Pham Thi Minh Huyen, a student from Quy Nhon University, said this was the first time she’s visited an antique exhibition, helping her know more about Vietnam’s pottery-making techniques.

“The exhibition partly contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage,” said Tran Huu Huy, vice rector of Quang Trung University. “It is the pride of Vietnamese potteries.”

“We will try to organize more exhibition and hope to coordinate with other bodies to popularize the antiques widely,” said the club’s Chairman Pham Thanh Tri. “We also encourage our members to set up a private antique museum in the future.”

• Hoai Thu