Many interesting things about Ba Ria tombs are clarified

The local name Ba Ria - Vung Tau has always attracted the curiosity and attention of people from far away. Now, information about Ba Ria has been clarified in the scientific conference "Ba Ria Tomb and Cultural Heritage Value".

Delegates attending the conference burn incense at Ba Ria's tomb. Photo: Truc Tai

The scientific workshop “Ba Ria Tomb and Cultural Heritage Values” was organized by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City in coordination with the People’s Committee of Long Dien Commune (Ho Chi Minh City) on October 7. The workshop aimed to clarify the historical, cultural, architectural and religious values ​​associated with the Ba Ria Tomb relic.

According to folk documents, Ba Ria was a Phu Yen native, following the group of migrants to the South to settle down during the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan (1648 - 1687). She and the people reclaimed the land of Dong Xoai (Hoa Long commune, former Ba Ria city), then expanded to the areas of Go Xoai - Phuoc Lieu (Long Dien), Lang Dai (Dat Do) and Xuyen Moc.

Thanks to her great contributions in establishing the village and hamlet, she was granted the title of Ham Nghe by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1691 - 1752) and given the Lord's surname, becoming Nguyen Thi Ria - a person of prestige, virtue, and respected by the people. Every year, on the 20th day of the 2nd lunar month, local people hold a memorial service for Ba Ria to commemorate her merits.

The name Ba Ria - Vung Tau was also chosen to name the new province from 1991 (separated from Dong Nai province) until it merged into Ho Chi Minh City from July 1, 2025.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City Do Phuoc Trung spoke at the workshop. Photo: Truc Tai

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Do Phuoc Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, commented: Ba Ria Tomb is not only an architectural and artistic relic but also a historical and cultural relic, a folk awareness of tradition, of a place name, of a legendary historical figure, who contributed to the discovery and formation of Ba Ria - Vung Tau land. Ba Ria has gradually become a part of the local identity, closely linked to the spiritual life of the people.

“The Ba Ria Tomb relic is a valuable testament to the intersection between history, legend, real-life architecture and beliefs between the past and the present. Research on the preservation and promotion of the relic’s value not only has practical scientific significance but also contributes to fostering cultural identity and consolidating the spiritual foundation for sustainable local development,” Mr. Do Phuoc Trung emphasized.

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thong, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Science Association, said that the Ba Ria Tomb relic is a testament to the intersection of historical, architectural, religious and folk art elements. The preservation and promotion of the relic's value not only has scientific and practical significance, but also contributes significantly to preserving cultural identity and developing cultural and spiritual tourism associated with local economic development.

Delegates speaking at the conference. Photo: Truc Tai

At the workshop, a number of delegates presented many enthusiastic opinions, scientific and practical arguments, valuable information and documents on the cultural, scientific and architectural values ​​of the Ba Ria Tomb relic; the historical, cultural and folk beliefs of the local people in memory of Ba Ria's merits; the legend of Ba Ria as a historical figure with an important role in the process of land reclamation and development in the Ba Ria - Vung Tau region; solutions to preserve and promote the relic associated with education and tourism...

Besides the initial results in state management of relics, the workshop also pointed out existing problems, such as: the need to collect systematic documents, preserve rituals, and orient the effective exploitation of relics in contemporary life...

Conference scene. Photo: Truc Tai

On behalf of the local government and people of Long Dien commune, Ms. Do Kim Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, expressed her trust and hope that the city leaders, departments, branches, scientists, and researchers will continue to review and evaluate more comprehensively the origin, cultural, religious, and artistic values ​​of Ba Ria Tomb to soon recognize and rank Ba Ria Tomb as a city-level relic.

"This will also be the basis for the local government of Long Dien commune to build and develop more spiritual cultural tourism products, bringing the image of Long Dien commune's homeland to more and more people to know, visit and travel locally," said Ms. Do Kim Quyen.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhieu-dieu-thu-vi-ve-mo-ba-ria-duoc-lam-ro-718757.html