Ho Chi Minh City’s ancient tomb park receives heritage designation

Cao Doan Ngoc Thuy, deputy chairwoman of the People's Committee of Binh Trung Ward and head of the Go Queo Tomb Park management board, said the site not only embodies distinctive architectural and artistic values but "is also a powerful testimony to a period of land reclamation in the southern region."

Go Queo is the first and only park in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to ancient tombs.

It is intended to serve visitors, researchers, and those interested in the region's history, architecture, and cultural heritage.

Covering an area of 8,090.5 square meters with protective walls and fronting Vo Chi Cong Avenue, the site dates back to the Nguyen dynasty (1802–1945), the last Vietnamese dynasty. 

It houses 20 ancient tombs made of composite materials and laterite. 

The tombs exhibit diverse styles, from stepped rectangular mounds to reclining elephant shapes, characteristic of southern tomb architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Among the tombs are those identified as belonging to Pham Quang Triet—a Gia Long-era official who served as Assistant Minister of Personnel, established in 1819, and Pham Duy Trinh—a governor during the early Minh Mang (1820–41) and Thieu Tri (1841–47) eras, whose tomb was established in 1851. 

Researchers have also relocated and restored tombs originally from the An Khanh communal house and the An Phu Ward for preservation.

Officials said the heritage status will support investment in restoration, stricter state management of the site, and promotion of traditional values among younger generations.