One of the fascinating aspect of Vietnam is that it was the first metal-age civilization in Southeast Asia. The Dong Son culture of present-day northern Vietnam developed fine skills and workmanship in bronze and iron, and numerous artifacts from that era have been unearthed. Many of these date 1000-500 BC.

Wiki basics of Dong Son culture:

The Đông Sơn culture (literally "East Mountain culture", but from the name of Đông Sơn village) was a Bronze Age culture in ancient Vietnam centered at the Red River Valley of northern Vietnam from 700-500 BC until the first century AD. It was the last great culture of Văn Lang (as Vietnam was known then) and continued well into the next Vietnamese state of Âu Lạc. Its influence spread to other parts of Southeast Asia, including Maritime Southeast Asia, from about 1000 BC to 1 BC.

Some photos of Dong Son bronze artifacts.

Lamp from 700-500 BC.




Figurines




Metal jar




War and ceremonial bronze drums




Not sure what this is. Looks like a big bell.




Swords




Laddle