Tomb of Le Van Duyet

Tomb of Le Van Duyet is a revered religious complex and memorial to a local peasant-turned-prominent general that helped change Vietnam into the modern, unified country we know today.

In the early 1760s, when Le Van Duyet was born, Vietnam was separated into several different minor kingdoms, each ruled by individual lords. While the lords legally built their fealty to the figurehead of the reigning Le Dynasty, in actuality they were self-governing kings.

This weak, fragmented system contributed to the collapse of the Le Dynasty in the late 1770s in a series of peasant uprisings known as the Tay Son Rebellion. As a bright military strategist, Le Van Duyet was enlisted by future Emperor Gia Long to put down the revolt, assist unite the country and establish the Nguyen Dynasty, which would dominate Vietnam until 1945.

Le Van Duyet’s mausoleum was created after his death in 1830 (and refurbished in 1937 and 2008), as a means to honor his life and leadership. The structure, which today is recognized as a local park and gathering site, is ornamented with beautiful mosaic dragons, ornate woodwork, and studded with numerous altars to revere the modest peasant who ascended to become one of Vietnam’s most prominent military heroes.

The tomb is free and available to the public. However, it is a significant religious complex, therefore all visitors are encouraged to be respectful.