Open the way, guide tourists to the Nguyen Lord's tomb

Huong Tho Commune (Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue ), where the Ta Trach and Huu Trach streams of the Huong River converge, is the location of nine Nguyen Lords' tombs. According to Thanh Nien reporters in early May 2024, through many historical ups and downs, one of these tombs has deteriorated, become deserted, and is overgrown with weeds.

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said that the above conditions have caused difficulties and limitations in tourists visiting and offering incense at the Nguyen Lords' tombs in recent times.

Huong Tho Commune (Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue) is the resting place of 9 Nguyen Lords' tombs.

Le Hoai Nhan

According to Mr. Trung, the Nguyen Lords' tombs are small in scale compared to the "giant" relic system in Hue. Through survey, evaluation, and consideration of many factors, in recent times, investment in restoration and renovation has been prioritized for large projects and complexes. At the same time, the Nguyen Lords' tomb system is only protected, looked after, and managed.

Up to now, the Hue City People's Committee has invested in opening entrances to the tombs, and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has also placed signs and repaired small items such as cleaning to serve tourists' visits.

"This work is to create favorable conditions for tourists and pilgrims as well as to show respect to our ancestors and those who have contributed to the country. In the coming time, we will continue to do it within our capacity, depending on the level of degradation, the immediate priority is to clean up, prevent desertification, and plant trees to create landscapes," said Mr. Hoang Viet Trung.

Common points about the 9 Nguyen Lords' tombs

Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Information of Thua Thien-Hue province, said that because they were all rebuilt during the early Nguyen Dynasty, the scale and structure of the Nguyen Lords' tombs are basically similar. These tombs are all located in the west and southwest of the Imperial City, along both banks of the Perfume River.

Truong Thanh Tomb (Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu)

Each mausoleum has two layers of rectangular walls, built of mountain stones and bricks; in front and behind there are screens made of bricks and stones; the back screen is always attached to the outer wall; the front screen is built independently. The tomb (called Bao Phong) is built in a rectangular shape, with 2-3 levels; in front of the Bao Phong there is a stone or brick altar.

In front of the tomb is an altar, behind the gate is a screen decorated with dragons and horses. Behind the tomb is also a screen decorated with dragons of the same style, embossed with porcelain blinds or embossed with lime and mortar.

According to Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, this similarity is also very easy to understand because all of the above tombs were rebuilt and renovated at similar times (Reconstruction at the beginning of Gia Long's reign, in 2 years 1808 - 1809), renovated in the 21st year of Minh Mang (1840) and at the beginning of Thieu Tri's reign (1841).

The 9 Nguyen Lords' tombs were designed and built similarly.

Mr. Hai noticed that, although the scale was smaller and the construction method was much simpler than the tombs of the Nguyen kings later, the tombs of the lords were all in very ideal locations and completely complied with the rules of geomancy.