UNHOLY VISITOR

‘Severely Intoxicated’ Man Arrested After Breaking Ancient ‘Treasure’

The man was taken for a psychiatric assessment after destroying the historic artifact.

A man was arrested after destroying an ancient throne inside a sacred Vietnamese palace. Vietnam News reports the intoxicated man was sent for a psychiatric assessment, and that his “unstable mental state” included “delusions and incoherent speech.” The ceremonial throne in the Thái Hòa Palace in the Hue Imperial City, regarded as a national treasure, is roped off to the public. The man entered at midday Saturday displaying “signs of severe intoxication” and climbed onto the throne before “shouting incoherently” and breaking the left armrest. The throne dates back to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnam, which lasted from 1802 to 1945. Photos published in the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam show the broken pieces of the armrest, including one with a dragon’s head on it. Visitor guides to the site note its strict rules, which include not taking photos or touching objects. There is also a suggested dress code: “Every visitor should dress suitably with the solemn appearance of this construction.” Security measures are being increased across all the monuments in the area after the incident.