Mango seed cup Origin
1978
The mango-shaped cup was carved by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp’s father during his imprisonment at Trại K3 (K3 Camp) in Vĩnh Phú.
VHM_0056
Descriptive title
Mango seed cup
Initial context
Date
1978
Object type(s)
Material(s)
Description
This cup was made from found materials and made into the shape of a mango seed by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp's father while he was imprisoned in the K3 "re-education camp" in Vĩnh Phú, one of the northern “reeducation” camps where thousands of former South Vietnamese military officers were detained after 1975. A soaring phoenix is engraved on the back of the cup using only makeshift tools. At the time of his imprisonment, Diệp’s mother was one month pregnant. Diệp's father was imprisoned for a total of 7 years.
Collection
Donor(s)
Current location
Rights description
Object donated to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp
Image of pheonix engraving on cup.
Image of bottom of cup.
Image of inside of cup.
Image of side of cup.
Image of back of cup with buckle.
Image of front of cup with pheonix engraving as well as a color checker and ruler.
Timeline
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Mango seed cup leaves prison
1982Upon his release, Diệp’s father carefully preserved the mango seed cup as a personal relic from his years of imprisonment.
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Mango seed cup donated to Vietnamese Heritage Museum
August 17, 2024The cup was brought with the family to the U.S. where they resettled and was later donated to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp on behalf of her father.