India-Viet Nam Joint Issue
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | January 25, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 30 |
| Quantity | 103,500 |
| Perforation | 13¼ x 13¾ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Hyderabad |
| Printing Process | Wet Offset |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Credit (Designed By) | Sh. Brahm Prakash Smt. Alka Sharma |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN BL185 Yvert et Tellier IN BF172 Stanley Gibbons IN MS3457 |
| Themes | Architecture | Buildings | Joint Issues | Temples |
Celebrating Ancient Architecture
The civilizational bond between India and Viet Nam spans over 2,000 years, shaped by the travels of monks, traders, and cultural emissaries. These centuries of interaction enriched the cultural diversity of both regions. Today, the two countries enjoy strong diplomatic ties, marked by mutual trust, shared values, and cooperation on regional security and global issues.
Bilateral relations have strengthened through high-level political visits and growing trade and economic engagement. Viet Nam serves as a key partner for India in Southeast Asia, with both nations collaborating closely in regional forums such as ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, ASEM, as well as in global platforms like the UN and WTO.
In 2017, India and Viet Nam celebrated the 45th Anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th Anniversary of their Strategic Partnership. To commemorate this milestone, the Department of Posts released a joint stamp issue themed “Ancient Architecture”, featuring India’s Sanchi Stupa and Viet Nam’s Pho Minh Pagoda. Both architectural marvels are deeply intertwined with the legacy of Buddhism.
Sanchi Stupa – India’s Icon of Buddhist Heritage
Located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, the Great Stupa is one of India’s most important Buddhist monuments and the oldest stone structure in the country. Commissioned in the 3rd century B.C. by Emperor Ashoka, this massive hemispherical dome, standing 54 feet tall, houses relics of Lord Buddha. The Stupa’s four ornamental gateways and surrounding balustrade, added in the 1st century B.C., are masterpieces of ancient Indian architecture.
Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989, the present structure is almost double the diameter of Ashoka’s original brick Stupa, featuring a stone chatra (umbrella-like structure) symbolizing the Wheel of Law (Dharma). A sandstone pillar, inscribed with Ashoka’s Edicts and ornate Gupta-era Brahmi script (Shankhalipi), stands as a testament to India’s rich cultural and religious heritage. The Stupa’s carefully designed drum and staircase allow pilgrims to circumambulate the sacred dome, preserving centuries of spiritual tradition.
Pho Minh Pagoda – Viet Nam’s Spiritual Landmark
The Pho Minh Pagoda, located 4 km north of Nam Dinh City and 94 km south of Hanoi, was originally built during the Ly Dynasty and expanded in 1262 under the Tran Dynasty. This pagoda served as a spiritual center for high-ranking mandarins and the Tran royal aristocracy.
The architecture and decoration reflect the Tran Dynasty style, featuring lotus ponds, lotus motifs on pillars, Tran-style dragon sculptures, and stone candle holders. A remarkable feature is the 13-story Pho Minh Tower, built in 1305 in the shape of a lotus and rising 19 meters high. The tower’s base is constructed with flagstones, while upper floors are made of bricks, topped with a gourd-shaped talisman believed to channel cosmic energy. Pilgrims and tourists flock to the pagoda, especially during festival times, to experience its spiritual and architectural grandeur.
A Shared Legacy Through Stamps
The India–Viet Nam joint stamp issue celebrates the shared Buddhist heritage and architectural brilliance of both nations. The stamps not only honor Sanchi Stupa and Pho Minh Pagoda as iconic monuments but also strengthen cultural awareness, allowing philatelists and enthusiasts to explore the rich spiritual and historical narratives these landmarks embody.