As a passionate researcher of freshwater fish, Emperor Akihito discovered a new species of white goby in the world in a Can Tho River tributary while conducting his PhD study on fish in the south of Vietnam in the 1970s. His Majesty the Emperor  presented a specimen of the fish to the named museum in 1976.

Talking with VNU University of Science’s and the museum’s leaders during the visit, Emperor Akihito and his spouse expressed their warm thanks to the University and the museum for taking good care of the specimen.

The museum also preserves a specimen of Onagadori, a specious breed of Japanese chicken. It was a present from Japanese Prince Akishino for the museum on August 17, 2012.

Apart from the above-named exhibits, Emperor Akihito and his spouse also showed interest in a large number of specimens of various animal and plant species, especially the rare ones, displayed in the museum.

Speaking about the meaning of the visit, Dr. Nguyễn Thành Nam – Director of the museum said: “The Japanese Emperor’s visit to VNU’s Museum of Biology plays an important role, not only politically, diplomatically, but also scientifically. The Emperor’s interest in the exhibits shows his love to science and at the same time encourages VNU scientists and staff to further conserve the specimens for future generations.”

Established in 1926 under the Biology Faculty of the University of Hanoi, now VNU University of Science, the museum was the first of its kind in Indochina.

Now, as part of the system of Vietnam National Museums of Nature, the Museum of Biology preserves hundreds of thousands of animal and plant specimens collected since the late 19th century, including those as presents from foreign heads of state, scientists and museums.

 Specimen of white goby, a present from the Japan’s Emperor Akihito, was displayed at the museum

A specimen of Onagadori, a present from Japanese Prince Akishino, was displayed at the museum