Thanh Hoa reports to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism about the violation of King Le Tuc Tong's tomb.

VHO - In response to the serious violation of King Le Tuc Tong's tomb at the Lam Kinh special national historical relic, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province has officially reported to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and at the same time proposed strengthening measures to protect the security and safety of relics and antiquities in the area.

On May 13, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province sent document No. 2171/SVHTTDL-DSVH to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reporting in detail the case of illegal excavation of King Le Tuc Tong's tomb - part of the Lam Kinh National Special Historical and Architectural Relic Site.

The document also mentions urgent measures being deployed to ensure security, prevent and strictly handle violations of laws on cultural heritage.

Suspects in the grave robbery case and tools used for digging. Photo: Thanh Hoa Police

Previously, on May 3, the Thanh Hoa Center for Historical Research and Heritage Conservation discovered signs of encroachment at the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism immediately coordinated with the provincial police, the People's Committees of Tho Xuan and Ngoc Lac districts and related units to inspect the scene.

Through inspection, the authorities recorded an illegally dug hole 1.6m deep, 90cm x 52cm wide, in the mausoleum area.

At the scene, authorities seized 14 stone steles engraved with ancient Chinese characters, including the words "Dai Viet Tuc Tong Nhuong..." showing the temple name of King Le Tuc Tong.

The stele fragments have dragon decorations in the Le Dynasty style, and inscriptions in the Khai style. There are also 15 pieces of ancient dark gray bricks. All artifacts have been sealed and preserved in the Lam Kinh Relic Site's warehouse for investigation.

Through initial investigation, three Chinese subjects were identified as the perpetrators of the theft and were arrested by Thanh Hoa Provincial Police. The case is still being clarified.  

Faced with the above serious incident, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong signed Official Dispatch No. 2096/BVHTTDL-DSVH, sent to the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province, requesting an urgent assessment of the extent of damage at the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong, checking the current status of relics in the area to promptly prevent acts of encroachment, and at the same time proposing appropriate handling measures.

Scene of King Le Tuc Tong's tomb being dug up

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also requested to strengthen measures to ensure security and safety for relics, artifacts and antiquities; mobilize people to raise awareness of heritage protection and coordinate in detecting and handling violations.

On the local side, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province issued Official Dispatch No. 6467/UBND-VHXH and Official Dispatch No. 6657/UBND-VHXH, requesting the synchronous implementation of measures to manage, protect and prevent damage to heritage, especially in key areas such as Lam Kinh. The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with departments, branches and localities to carry out these tasks in accordance with the provisions of law.

In addition, on May 13, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa continued to issue Official Dispatch No. 2145/SVHTTDL-DSVH to departments, branches and authorities at all levels, requesting to strengthen supervision and protection of relics, and prevent acts of digging, stealing and illegal trading of antiques throughout the province.

The current status of other items in the Lam Kinh relic site, apart from the violated tomb, is still intact. The camera surveillance system, protective fences, and relic boundary markers are maintained regularly. National treasures, architectural works, and stone steles in the relic site are still in a safe condition.

Tomb of King Le Tuc Tong in Lam Kinh Historical Site

King Le Tuc Tong's tomb is one of the works of special value in the Lam Kinh relic system - the resting place of many kings of the Later Le dynasty, associated with the history of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people.

The violation of graves is not only a violation of the law but also a serious offense to the culture, history and morality of the nation. The timely detection, investigation and synchronous implementation of protection solutions shows Thanh Hoa's determination to preserve national cultural heritage.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/thanh-hoa-bao-cao-bo-vhttdl-vu-xam-pham-lang-mo-vua-le-tuc-tong-134822.html