Authorities in north-central Vietnam have awarded two local men more than US$3,000 in total for giving away two antique drums which they unearthed last year.

The People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Province has presented over VND66 million ($3,075) to Truong Thanh Quang and Do Van Hien for the voluntary submission of their prized findings to the Thanh Hoa Museum for better preservation.

The two men both received certificates of merit from the local Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Quang, who resides in the province’s Thach Thanh District, received VND41.5 million ($1,934) for handing over a bronze drum which dates back to the 16th or 17th century.

The artifact, which is one of the country’s cultural icons, was stumbled upon and dug up by Quang and his family members in October last year.

According to Thanh Hoa Museum representatives, the drum is 38cm tall, weighs 20 kilograms, and measures 59cm in diameter and remains relatively intact.

It boasts intricate decorative patterns, including an image of the sun in its center, six rings of patterns, and four toad sculptures, one of which is now missing.

The drum was estimated at VND300 million ($13,981) upon discovery.

The provincial committee also awarded VND25 million ($1,165) to Hien, who lives in the province’s Ha Trung District, for submitting a 2,000-year-old bronze drum which he came across in November last year.

This drum was estimated by relevant agencies to be worth VND90 million ($4,194).Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!