Decoding the tombs of Ba Ria

As the only Vietnamese woman to have a major center in the Southern region named after her, Nguyen Thi Ria, with her unique legends associated with the process of territorial expansion, is a symbol of the southward-moving spirit and the indomitable will of the Vietnamese people in the 17th century. Therefore, the authentic historical sources from Ba Ria's tomb are very important and need to be deciphered by future generations as soon as possible.

On the morning of October 7th in Long Dien commune (Ho Chi Minh City), the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports and the Long Dien Commune People's Committee organized a scientific workshop titled "Ba Ria Tomb and its Cultural Heritage Value," aiming to properly recognize and assess its potential in order to preserve and promote the values ​​of this unique architectural structure.

LEGEND OF MRS. NGUYEN THI RIA AND HER TOMB

Regarding the character Nguyen Thi Ria, according to Trinh Hoai Duc 's Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi (1820): "Mrs. Ria was from Phu Yen (born in 1665, died in 1759). At the age of 15, she joined a group of migrants to the South to reclaim land during the time of Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan. The Mo Xoai - Long Dien area was then still wild, full of wild animals and diseases. With unwavering determination, she organized and gathered migrants to reclaim the barren land, establish villages, and transform this area into a prosperous region."

The cemetery in Ba Ria today

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

The cemetery in Ba Ria today

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

Mr. Pham Thanh Son, former cultural officer of the old Tam Phuoc commune, added: "Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ria had a significant influence on the local name. After her death, the bridge connecting Tam Phuoc and An Nhat, where Mrs. Ria reclaimed 300 acres of rice fields, was named Ba Nghe Bridge. In 1865, the French colonialists divided the entire Southern region into 13 administrative districts. Phuoc Tuy Prefecture of the Nguyen Dynasty at that time was also named Ba Ria Administrative District. In 1876, the French divided Bien Hoa, and Phuoc Tuy Prefecture was renamed Ba Ria Province."

The Bà Rịa mausoleum is located near Tam Phước market (Long Điền commune) within a spacious and tree-shaded compound of approximately 1,800 ^m² . The architectural complex includes a gate, surrounding wall, memorial stele, hexagonal house, shrine, group of statues, the tomb, and other auxiliary structures. The entrance gate is simply designed, stylized like a house with a tiled roof. To the left of the shrine is a group of sculptures depicting men and women cutting trees, building bridges, and rowing boats across waves… symbolizing the pioneering and expansion efforts of the people in ancient times. The tomb is surrounded by a laterite stone wall about 100 cm high. The tombstone is stylized like a house with a tiled roof, bearing Chinese characters and the inscription "Nguyễn Tiên Nương" .

In 1902, the Indochina School of Far Eastern Studies rebuilt the tomb of Lady Rịa. In 1936, under the An Phú Thượng district (Bà Rịa province), and in 1972 under the Phước Tuy province, the local authorities renovated the tomb twice. In 2008, the locality also renovated the tomb area to make it more presentable and designated the 20th day of the 2nd lunar month each year as the anniversary of Lady Rịa's death (instead of the 16th day of the 6th lunar month).

CONNECTING HERITAGE VALUES

Although there are differing viewpoints on the stories about Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ria, all opinions affirm the unique value of the architectural art of Mrs. Ria's tomb, closely linked to the religious life of the people, reflecting the interplay between memory and spiritual beliefs of the community. The Mrs. Ria Tomb is recognized not only as a historical and cultural symbol with spiritual value and community identity, but also as an important resource for developing local cultural tourism in a sustainable direction.

A memorial plaque is placed next to the entrance to the Bà Rịa cemetery.

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

A view of the scientific seminar "The Ba Ria Tomb and its Cultural Heritage Value"

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

Proud of Ba Ria, as a local resident, Mr. Pham Thanh Son suggested that the dossier for ranking the burial site as a historical relic should be completed soon, contributing to the effective preservation and education of future generations to always remember their ancestors, the pioneers and benefactors who contributed to the development of the land and the construction of the village and commune.

Master's student Duong Truong Phuc (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) proposed planning to make Ba Ria's tomb a highlight in cultural and spiritual tourism routes, taking advantage of its location near famous landmarks such as Bai Truoc Beach in Vung Tau or Minh Dam Mountain, building a "Ba Ria discovery tour" starting from Ba Ria's tomb and ending with a reenactment of the anniversary ceremony with folk costumes, developing spiritual tourism products associated with historical stories and legends.

Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, Nguyen Minh Nhut, emphasized: "I believe there truly is a legend about Ba Ria and her tomb, so compelling that it includes her name, birthplace, date, and achievements, and is so plausible that the residents of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and even Phu Yen are proud of her. There is indeed a basis to initially affirm the artistic value of this unique architectural work, derived from the composite materials used in its construction and its shape. Through this scientific conference, we have a basis to continue researching and synthesizing the cultural, historical, and architectural values ​​to further prepare a heritage dossier for the Ba Ria tomb."

While the tomb of General Le Van Duyet (Gia Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) is a grand, imperial structure built by the feudal court, the tomb of Ba Ria is simple, intimate, and preserved by the community. Both demonstrate the close relationship between pioneering efforts, the people's reverence, and folk beliefs. The historical site features a triple-arched gate, a hexagonal stele house placed on the back of a stone turtle, and numerous sculptures depicting scenes of land reclamation, forming an "epic in stone" that vividly portrays the lives and contributions of those who pioneered the land.

MSc. Tran Van Phuong (Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Research and Development)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-ma-mo-ba-ria-18525100722065517.htm