Gia Long's Tomb, about 40 minute driving to the west of Hue Imperial Citadel, is a relic of the Complex of Hue Monuments which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage on December 11th, 1993. The Gia Long Tomb or Thien Tho Lang Mausoleum, is the tomb of King Gia Long (1762-1820), the founding king of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Gia Long's Tomb is actually a complex of many mausoleums of the royal family. Today it is located in Huong Tho commune, Hue city.
The construction of the mausoleum took 6 years (1814-1820), since Queen Thua Thien Cao (main queen of King Gia Long) died on February 21, 1814. The king had his mandarins in Kham Thien Giam to search for the most suitable land where he would bury his wife. Later the tomb developed into a large mausoleum complex with a circumference of 11.234,4 m (according to L. Cadière documents), including the following mausoleums:
The whole mausoleum area consists of 42 large and small hills, each with its own name. The biggest hill is called Dai Thien Tho, and it was chosen as the main hill for the mausoleum and gave the whole mountain group its name: Thien Tho Mountain. These mountains span over a protected area of more than 28km2, creating a grand mountain landscape from the Truong Son Range to the Ta Trach shore, a branch of the Perfume River.
King Gia Long personally reviewed the location selection, planning, and design, as well as supervised the construction progress. According to ancient history, a geography master named Le Duy Thanh (the son of scholar Le Quy Don) discovered this place. He believed that it was a special spot where all the positive influences from many mountains and hills converged, and their goodness would last for thousands of years (according to L. Cadière).
The king's tomb is situated on a large and flat hill. It is surrounded by several mountains, including Dai Thien Tho mountain in front and 7 mountains in the back. To the left and the right, there are 14 mountains known as "dragon to the left" (Ta Thanh Long) and "tiger to the right" (Huu Bach Ho). The mausoleum is divided into three main areas:
The central part holds the tombs of King Gia Long and Queen Thua Thien Cao. Beyond a courtyard with majestic stone statues and seven levels of sacred ground, you'll find Buu Thanh area at the hilltop. Inside Buu Thanh, there are two stone chamber-shaped tombs that are built following an ancient Vietnamese architectural tradition, symbolising happiness and loyalty.
On the right of the mausoleum, there's a worshipping area with Minh Thanh Palace at the centre. Minh Thanh Palace honors the King and his first queen. Minh Thanh means "shining perfection". There is also another explanation that it means "completed tomorrow," possibly because parts of the palace remain unpainted and simple in their carving, according to L. Cadière. Inside the palace, you could find some relics belonging to King Gia Long's life during wartime, like scales, hats, and saddles.
On the left of the mausoleum is Bi Dinh, where only a large stele remains with the inscription "Thanh Duc Than Cong," a tribute from King Minh Mang to his father. The stele was carved so intricately and sharply.
Gia Long's tomb beautifully blends nature and architecture, with nature playing a vital role in creating the stunning landscape. When people visit the mausoleum, they can find a peaceful and poetic space to contemplate their life's ups and downs, along with the achievements and setbacks of the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty.
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