PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM – MINH MANG TOMB

Minh Mang Tomb is one of the great places to visit in Vietnam. Minh Mang Tomb was built from 1840 to 1843. Minh Mang Tomb was built on Cam Khe Mountain where Huu Trach and Ta Trach join together forming up Perfume River in Hue. Ten thousands of workers and soldiers were called to build Minh Mang Tomb and today Minh Mang Tomb is among wonderful places to visit in Vietnam.
 

PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM – MINH MANG TOMB

In February 1820 when Gia Long King died, the fourth prince Nguyen Phuc Dam was raised to be the king of Nguyen Dynasty in Hue and got his name as Minh Mang. After seven years on his thrown, Minh Mang King ordered his people look for a good location to build his own tomb. Le Van Duc, the fengshui man, found a great location on near Cam Khe Mountain, close to Bang Lang. This is where Huu Trach and Ta Trach streams meet and form up Perfume River in Hue. Even though the location has been found but after 14 years then Minh Mang King decided to build his own tomb here. Minh Mang King had changed the name Cam Khe Mountain to Hieu Son and Minh Mang Tomb was called Hieu Lang. Minh Mang King himself verified the final design for his own tomb. In April 1840, Minh Mang Tomb was started constructing. Minh Mang King ordered Le Dang Danh, Nguyen Trung Mau Ly Van Phuc and thousands of people move to Cam Khe Mountain to build Minh Mang Tomb. In August 1840, Minh Mang King was not satisfied with the work and fired all these people. A month later, Minh Mang Tomb was started again but Minh Mang King was sick and died in January 1841. After Minh Mang King passed away, Thieu Tri Kinh (Minh Mang’s son) asked people continue to build Minh Mang Tomb as the plan and design which had been confirmed by Minh Mang King. On 20th August 1841, Minh Mang King’s body was restored here but Minh Mang Tomb was kelp continue building and finished in 1843. From the wild rural area, after four years of constructing with thousands of people working every day, Cam Khe Mountain turned to a great tomb of Minh Mang King with massive palaces, temples, paths, lakes with stunning traditional Vietnamese architecture. Minh Mang Tomb is considered as one of the most beautiful tombs of Nguyen Emperors in Hue which has great combination of nature and human work.

Minh Mang Tomb was constructed in great balance and contrast. Most of palaces, houses, temples, alters were built around the main path running from begging to the end of Minh Mang Tomb. The main construction sites are main gate, court yard, stelae house, alters, Trung Minh Lake, Tan Nguyet Lake and Minh Mang Tomb itself. Minh Mang Tomb has an area of 18 hectares but the whole area around Minh Mang Tomb is about 450 hectares. Minh Mang Tomb was surrounded and protected by a layer of walls which is about 1.750 meters long. Minh Mang Tomb has the shaping of a man who is resting in calm and peace.
Minh Mang Kinh was born 25th May 1791 and died on 20th January 1841. Minh Mang was the second king of Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. Minh Mang King was the one who had power and smart. Minh Mang Kinh had a lot of changes in domestic and foreign policies. Minh Mang King built strong army and enlarged the territory of Nguyen Dynasty. Minh Mang King changed the name of country Vietnam to Dai Nam (great country) wishing that his Dai nam would be a great and powerful country.
In December 1820 Gia Long King died, Nguyen Phuc Dam became the king of Nguyen Dynasty in Hue and got his name as Minh Mang. Minh Mang became the king when he was 30 years old and Minh Mang was very clear of how to manage the country. After big meetings, Minh Mang King always spent time with his consultants to look for ideas and suggestions. Minh Mang King was keen on hard working and had large knowledge. Minh Mang King had made a lot of changes to turn Dai Nam (Vietnam) to be a powerful country. Minh Mang King paid great attention and showed his respect to talents and those who had educations. Minh Mang King also aimed to build powerful army, following western model. Minh Mang Kinh encourage people enlarge farming land, opened new districts, provinces in both North and South of the country. Minh Mang Kinh also ordered people to build orphaned villages for old, poor and disable people. Minh Mang King died when he was 50 years old and had 21 years on his crown. Today, Minh Mang King is prayed in The Mieu inside Hue Citadel. Minh Mang Kinh was one of the great one in Nguyen Dynasty in Hue. Minh Mang Tomb was recognized to be one of cultural heritage bu UNESCO and Minh Mang Tomb is one of the great places to visit in Vietnam and Hue City. Many Vietnamese and foreign travelers come to visit Minh Mang Tomb every year to pay respect to Minh Mang Kinh and discover great site of Minh Mang Tomb – one of the amazing places to visit in Vietnam.