Receiving coal pellets with the mark of the French Company of Tonkin Coal Mines

Quang Ninh Museum has just received two coals of special historical value donated by Mr. Vuong Huu Phu's family (Hong Gai ward, Ha Long city).

The charcoal has the four initials SFCT engraved on it. — The charcoal pellet is engraved with the four initials SFCT.

One piece of coal measures 240x170x140mm and weighs 5.45kg; one measures 260x160x110mm and weighs 5.65kg. One of them has the letters "SFCT" engraved on its surface. This is the abbreviation of the Tonkin Coal Mining French Company (Société Francaise des charbonnages du Tonkin), which is closely associated with the history of the formation and development of the coal mining industry and its production and trading operations in Quang Ninh in particular and Vietnam in general.

According to historical documents, on April 28, 1888, the largest coal mining company in France was established, called the French Coal Company of Tonkin, and was assigned the right to manage and exploit a large concession area stretching from Mong Duong through Cam Pha, Hong Gai to Vang Danh, Mao Khe, including 6 large mines, many small mines, 2 ports, 2 mechanical factories and many small mechanical stations.

At the same time, the French quickly began building infrastructure works, including the operator's house. This was the first large-scale industrial facility in Vietnam and Indochina. The headquarters of the French Company of Tonkin Coal Mine is located at 95A Le Thanh Tong Street, Hong Gai Ward, Ha Long City, and has been used by the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group as the Production Control Center in Quang Ninh for many years. The headquarters of the French Company of Tonkin Coal Mine was ranked as a provincial relic in 2021.

According to Mr. Do Quyet Tien, Director of Quang Ninh Museum, these are two artifacts that Mr. Vuong Huu Phu, a former officer of the Coal Industry, and his coal-making colleagues have collected and preserved since 1958 .

Quang Ninh Museum's receipt of these two additional artifacts contributes significantly to the research, preservation and promotion of the heritage value of Quang Ninh's coal industry. The receipt of the two pieces of coal by Quang Ninh Museum marks the community's support in preserving the precious cultural and historical values related to the land and people of Quang Ninh.

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