A statue of King Quang Trung (Photo: VNA)
Thua Thien – Hue (VNA) – An excavation was launched in Thua Thien-Hue province on October 6 to scour for traces of the tomb of King Quang Trung in an attempt to illuminate the issue.
King Quang Trung (1753-1792), whose real name is Nguyen Hue, was the second king of the Tay Son dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 1788 until 1792. He mastered the Tay Son army’s speedy operation from Phu Xuan (Hue) to the north to defeat 20,000 Qing aggressors and liberate Thang Long citadel in 1789.
Researchers said the excavation is necessary as it is expected to shed light on the issue since they have yet found any historical resources that recorded clearly the burial of King Quang Trung and his tomb was said to have been destroyed.
The excavation area is planned to cover 22 square metres in Duong Xuan mound, Truong An ward, Hue city.
According to Bui Van Liem, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, the excavation is carried out under a decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
He said the Thua Thien-Hue Museum of History and Revolution will be responsible for preserving any items that are discovered and reporting to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The results of the excavation will not be revealed without the agreement of the Department of Cultural Heritage and related agencies.-VNA
