Moreover, this place possesses an architectural style imbued with the cultural colors of the Vietnamese people. The most prominent are the lines of the patterns and parallel sentences. They all contain a deep and passionate love for the country. Let’s explore the unique and interesting things here with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where is Nguyen Dinh Chieu Mausoleum?
Nguyen Dinh Chieu Mausoleum is located in An Duc Commune, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province, Vietnam. It is about 2 km southwest of Ba Tri District center, about 36 km southeast of Ben Tre City. And about 123 km south of Ho Chi Minh City.
2. How is Nguyen Dinh Chieu mausoleum unique?
This mausoleum worships Nguyen Dinh Chieu – a patriotic poet, a virtuous and talented physician and an exemplary teacher. This place has long been a stopover for tourists who love spiritual tourism. Every year, this place attracts thousands of people to offer incense and worship, so it has become the pride of the people of Ben Tre.
This is a large-scale architectural complex, with a huge area of up to 1.5 hectares. In 1972, this mausoleum began construction, until the end of the 20th century after many restoration processes, this place became more and more majestic and solemn. This project includes: Tam Quan gate, new temple, old temple, stele house and tomb area.
Moreover, this relic site is located in a cool green area, right on the banks of a long river. There is a large stone tablet here, on which is carved a statue of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and some of his famous works. In addition, when having the opportunity to visit here, people often visit the family graves of him and his loved ones.
In addition, it is also a sacred place to commemorate one of the great cultural celebrities of Vietnam. At the same time, it is also a Ben Tre tourist destination with historical and cultural significance, attracting many tourists to visit.
With such great historical and cultural values, this mausoleum was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a historical and cultural relic on March 16, 1993.
3. When is the best time to visit Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum?
The climate of Ba Tri district is similar to that of Ben Tre province. It is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone, with high and stable temperatures. The climate is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April of the following year. The average annual temperature fluctuates around 26oC – 27oC. Therefore, you can travel to this relic site at any time of the year.
However, according to the Ben Tre travel experience of tourists who have been here. The ideal time to travel to Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s tomb is in the dry season, from December to April of the following year. During this time, the weather is cooler and more pleasant, with more sunshine and less rain. It creates favorable conditions for traveling, visiting and admiring this relic site.
4. How to get to Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum from Ben Tre city?
This tomb is not far from the center of Ben Tre city, about 36km to the Southeast. Moreover, the traffic infrastructure here is also quite developed and convenient. You can easily travel by means of transport such as motorbike, private car, passenger car or taxi.
Starting from the center of Ben Tre city, you follow provincial road DT887 to the Southeast for about 24 km, then you will see a roundabout at the intersection with provincial road DT885. From here, you continue to follow DT885 to the Southeast for about 10 km, then you will see a roundabout at the intersection. From here, you turn right to the second branch and continue about 1.5 km to the South to reach this mausoleum. You can find it via google map here.
5. Biography of the famous person Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Nguyen Dinh Chieu was born on July 1, 1822, in Tan Thoi village, Binh Duong district, Gia Dinh province. Now in Cau Kho ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. He passed the bachelor’s exam in 1843. In 1849, while in Hue waiting for the Hoi exam, he heard that his mother had passed away and returned to mourn. Because he cried for his mother, both eyes became blind. He then opened a school to teach, practice medicine and compose poetry and literature.
In 1859, when the French occupied Gia Dinh citadel, Nguyen Dinh Chieu returned to his wife’s hometown in Can Giuoc, Long An province. Here, he wrote the famous Can Giuoc martyrs’ elegy, passionately praising the heroic spirit of sacrifice for the Fatherland of ordinary farmers.
In 1862, he moved to An Duc village, Bao An commune, Vinh Long province (now Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province). Here, he continued to teach students, prescribe medicine to treat people, and at the same time maintained close ties with patriotic scholars.
In the face of all the enemy’s bribery tricks, he was still determined not to cooperate with the enemy, continuing to use poetry as a weapon to help motivate the people to fight the enemy. On May 24, Mau Ty year (July 3, 1888), Nguyen Dinh Chieu passed away, and many people from Ba Tri, along with friends, students, and descendants, came to see him off.
6. Famous literary heritages of Nguyen Dinh Chieu
His famous works are the poetic narrative Luc Van Tien, Duong Tu – Ha Mau, Ngu tieu y thuat van dap, Van te Truong Dinh, … Indeed, his works not only had a profound influence and had a strong vitality in the hearts of the Vietnamese people at that time but also remained until now.
With his talent and will to rise, he became a shining symbol of patriotism. As well as the chivalry of the people of the South in particular and the Vietnamese people in general. With a sharp pen, his poems and prose denounced the crimes of the French invaders, criticized the kings and mandarins who sold out the country for glory. And praised the uprisings of the insurgents, keeping their patriotism and love for the people intact.
7. Discovering the unique architecture of Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum
7.1 Tam quan gate
The mausoleum’s Tam Quan gate has the traditional architectural style of Vietnamese pagodas. With two overlapping roofs, shaped like boats, covered with red yin-yang tiles in imitation of ancient bricks. Besides, on the roof and the slats, rafters, and beams, there are decorative patterns and reliefs with simple lines. The tam quan pillars are large, sturdy and painted vermillion red.
7.2 Stele House
They built stele house solidly not long ago with traditional architecture, 12m high, two-story roof. Especially, the outer wall is decorated with stylized floral patterns, the inner wall is embossed with the four sacred animals. The top of the roof is embossed with the symbol of a brush pen. In the middle of the house is a stone stele measuring 2.65m x 2.7m x 1.8m. The front of the stele is an article praising the merits of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and the back summarizes his biography.
7.3 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Temple
7.3.1 New Temple:
The new temple was built in 2000 – 2002 in the architectural style of a double-height structure. The temple is 21m high, made of reinforced concrete but the roof is made of yin-yang tiles. The wall decorations are entirely traditional patterns with highlights showing the nobility and purity of the patriotic poet.
The temple has two floors. The lower floor is where the images of leaders, tourist groups, and people from all over the country come to visit and burn incense are displayed. The upper floor is a portrait of the poet, cast in bronze, 1.6m high, weighing 1.2 tons.
On the four pillars are four wooden parallel sentences, carved with sophisticated patterns, including two of his poems in the work Duong Tu – Ha Mau:
“Carrying many boats without sinking
Stabbing many wicked men without being evil”.
Next to that is a pair of parallel sentences of the people praising him: “Humanity and righteousness shine like the sun and moon / Literature shines like the Khue star”.
On both sides of the statue are two relief panels, depicting the image of Nguyen Dinh Chieu reading the funeral oration for the fallen soldiers of the Six Provinces at Dap Market (Ba Tri) in 1883. And the image of the first battle of the village teacher Phan Ngoc Tong leading the insurgents with primitive weapons to fight the French in Giong Gach (An Hiep). When the enemy troops marched to encroach on Ba Tri land on the night of November 17, 1868.
7.3.2 Old Temple:
The old temple was built in 1972 with a two-story roof, covered with yin-yang tiles, with a total area of 84m2. The roof of the temple is decorated with stylized dragon and cloud patterns. Inside is the altar. The two main pillars are embossed with two verses like in the new temple, in the work Duong Tu – Ha Mau. In addition, there are images and documents about the leaders, the insurgents and some anti-French movements of the people of Cochinchina in the late 19th century.
On the left of the memorial house is the tomb of Mr. Do and his wife. Nearby is the resting place of poetess Nguyen Thi Ngoc Khue (Suong Nguyet Anh), the daughter of the poet, she is one of the most famous poets and journalists. Editor of the first women’s newspaper in Vietnam, the Nu Gioi Chung newspaper.
They arranged harmoniously these works of the relic site in a cool green space. With large gardens planted with many types of ornamental plants, it brings a sense of relaxation to visitors.
8. Enjoying Ben Tre specialties when visiting Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum
When traveling to this relic site, you will not only admire the unique architecture, but also listen to touching stories about the career of the famous person Nguyen Dinh Chieu. But you also have the opportunity to enjoy the specialties of this beautiful land. Such as: Braised Goby fish in coconut water, braised duck, grilled eel with scallion oil, grilled snakehead fish. Or coconut rice, braised fish in clay pot, coconut worms, fish sauce with pork belly, My Long rice paper.
9. Accommodation when visiting Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum
This tomb is not too far from Ben Tre city, moreover, it is also a tourist destination for the day. Therefore, after visiting, you can refer to some of the accommodations below.
- Charming Countryside Homestay. Address: 208D Hamlet 4, Nhon Thanh, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
- Ben Tre Garden Farmstay. Address: Group 10, Phuoc Xuan Hamlet, Chau Thanh, Ben Tre.
- Diamond Stars Ben Tre Hotel. Address: 140 Hung Vuong, Ward 3, Ben Tre, Ben Tre Province.
- Innerzen Riverside homestay Ben Tre. Address: 369C, Ward 2B, Nhon Thanh Commune, Ben Tre, Ben Tre Province.
- Ben Tre Riverside Resort. Address: 708 Nguyen Van Tu, Ward 7, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
- Mekong Home. Address: Hamlet 9, Phuoc Long Commune, Giong Trom District, Ben Tre.
- Mango Home Riverside. Address: My Thanh, Giong Trom, Ben Tre.
- Dong Khoi Hotel. Address: 16 Hai Ba Trung, Ward 2, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre.
10. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Memorial Festival
Although not born in Ben Tre, he spent most of his life living and working in art in this land. Poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu has created influence, love, and respect from the people here.
Every year on July 1, his birthday, it has become a traditional cultural festival of the Ben Tre people to commemorate the most patriotic poet of the South. The festival has many rich programs, such as: incense offering ceremony, reading funeral orations, reciting Van Tien poems, Luc Van Tien – Kieu Nguyet Nga costume contest, excerpts from Luc Van Tien – Kieu Nguyet Nga reformed opera, ram xoi festival contest, death anniversary meal, tug of war, sack jumping, pot smashing, …
The festival is an opportunity to review the patriotic tradition of the nation for today’s and tomorrow’s young generations to follow. Learn about the career, ideological values, personality, ethics of the teacher, doctor and patriotic poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu. This is also an opportunity for visitors to have fun, relax, learn about culture and express deep gratitude to their ancestors.
11. Some important notes when visiting Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum
To make your visit to this relic site a complete joy. You should refer to some necessary notes below:
- Choose polite, discreet clothing, avoid wearing short, revealing clothes.
- You should wear comfortable shoes to easily move around the large campus.
- Keep a respectful and solemn attitude when visiting Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s mausoleum.
- Avoid laughing, talking loudly or having uncivilized actions.
- Keep public hygiene, do not litter.
- Comply with the regulations of the relic management board.
- Prepare hats, caps, sunscreen because Ben Tre is warm all year round.
- You can bring bottled water and snacks to recharge when needed.
With unique architectural works, stone steles engraved with his achievements and literary works,… All of them glorify the patriotic ancestors. Please contact Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We will take you on the South Vietnam tour to combine visiting this special mausoleum with the most interesting emotions.
