Nguyễn Sinh Sắc was the father of President Hồ Chí Minh. He was a magistrate until he was demoted for abuse of power after a landlord whom he had ordered to be beaten died shortly after receiving a caning. After being dismissed, he went to the South and lived in Hòa An village in Đồng Tháp province to teach, prepare medicine to help the poor, and lived here until his death. To commemorate his merits, the local people in the Mekong Delta River and Đồng Tháp build a mausoleum dedicated to him. The work was completed in 1977, covering an area of 3,6 hectares.
The mausoleum is structured into 4 areas. The main structure of the tomb has a roof facing the east. It evokes a stylized lotus petal or a palm turning downward. Above the grave are 9 dragons imbued with the features of folk art, reaching out into 9 gables. The grave is covered with marble with an ash-grey rectangular-shaped. There is a lotus pond looking like a five-petal star, 25m to the front, in the middle of the lake is a stylized lotus-shaped white tower 6.5 high (from the surface of the lake) symbolizing the pure and modest life of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc and his homeland of Kim Liên – Đồng Tháp as engraved on the mind of the Vietnamese people.
The mausoleum campus has many kinds of ornamental plants and fruits that people around the country bring to plant as souvenirs, especially the nearly 300-year-old star fruit tree on the left side of the grave and the 300-year-old pomelo tree on the right side of the grave.
There is a memorial house that displays many artefacts and documents related to the life of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc and his career, especially his time in Cao Lãnh. Another highlight is the stilt house of President Hồ Chí Minh which is restored as a prototype of the one in Hanoi. The artefacts are reconstructed and arranged realistically to help each visitor to feel and visualize the frugal life of the president, from working to resting.
The relic site also recreates Hòa An village in the early twentieth century, on an area of over 22,000m2 with traditional houses, canals, orchards, coconut trees, a monkey bridge, a winding village road… The images of cultural activities, entertainment, and production … describe a part of life in the village, making the tomb of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc has become a tourist attraction in Vietnam.
Annually, on the 28th day of the 10th lunar month, people from provinces in Mekong Delta and others gather together for arranging a death anniversary in a solemn, ceremonial atmosphere. This action is considered a festival holding the national identity of Vietnam.
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The tomb of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc
- Address: 1 Phạm Hữu Lầu, Ward 4, Cao Lãnh city, Đồng Tháp Province.
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: Free
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00
- Other tourist spots nearby: Xẻo Quyét Relic Area, Gáo Giồng eco-tourism area, Kien An Cung Pagoda, Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, Tràm Chim National Park, Gò Tháp relic site…