Gò Công is a provincial city (''thành phố thuộc tỉnh'') of

Tiền Giang province Tiền Giang was a former province in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. The province was formed in February 1976, by the merger of Định Tường and Gò Công provinces of former Republic of Vietnam. Tiền Giang has an advanta ...

in the

Mekong Delta The Mekong Delta ( or simply ), also known as the Western Region () or South-western region (), is the list of regions of Vietnam, region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong, Mekong River River delta, approaches and empties into the sea th ...

region of

Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...

. The city of Gò Công is not to be confused with East Gò Công and West Gò Công Districts ( and ) which also belong to the Tiền Giang Province.

The Royal Mausoleums

Gò Công City is characterized by its numerous canals, orchards, and fields. It is notable for the Lang Hoang Gia (Royal Mausoleums), an ancient architectural complex. The mausoleum complex is situated in Long Hung Commune, in Gò Công Town, near National Highway 50, approximately 30 kilometers from

Mỹ Tho Mỹ Tho () is a city in the Tiền Giang province in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam. It has a population of approximately 169,000 in 2006 and 220,000 in 2012. It is the regional center of economics, education and technology. The majori ...

Town. This site serves as the burial place for members of the Pham Dang lineage, a prominent clan of mandarins and courtiers in the southern region during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The complex

The mausoleums for the deceased aristocrats are constructed facing each other on both sides of a road, covering an area of nearly 3,000 square meters. The complex is enclosed by a wall measuring 80 centimeters in thickness and 90 centimeters in height. The gate, which is now covered with moss, leads to a path lined with two rows of pines that direct visitors to the mausoleums.

Construction

The mausoleums were built by locals and carpenters from

Huế Huế (formerly Thừa Thiên Huế province) is the southernmost coastal Municipalities of Vietnam, city in the North Central Coast region, the Central Vietnam, Central of Vietnam, approximately in the center of the country. It borders Quảng ...

in the central region. Therefore, the complex reflects a traditional

architectural style. Several kinds of wood were used in the construction of the mausoleum, mostly brought in from the then feudal capital of Huế. No nails were used to connect the wooden pillars, rafters or roof beams of the complex. Wooden tablets with sacred oriental animals and flowers are carved into the surface of much of the wood, creating a great solemnity inside the mausoleums, while imposing pillars add a majesty to the complex.

The Grand Duke

Among the 13 mausoleums built between 1811 and the early 20th century, the mausoleum of Grand Duke —father of Queen Consort Từ Dụ (Phạm Thị Hằng) of the Government of the Nguyễn dynasty (1802–1945) and maternal grandfather of King

Tự Đức Tự Đức (, vi-hantu, :wikt:嗣, 嗣:wikt:德, 德, , 22 September 1829 – 19 July 1883) (personal name: Nguyễn Phúc Hồng Nhậm, also Nguyễn Phúc Thì) was the fourth emperor of the Nguyễn dynasty of Vietnam, and the country's la ...

(1829–1883)—is the most impressive of all. It is located on a mound covering more than 800 square meters and according to local residents, the grand duke was buried in a sitting position inside a two-layered coffin.Source: VietNamNet/TN Reported by Pham Du Ky

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Go Cong Populated places in Tiền Giang province Districts of Tiền Giang province County-level towns in Vietnam