Visiting the ancient Bau Cheo cemetery.

From the Gia Binh intersection (Trang Bang town), heading towards Binh Thuy bridge, you can reach the Bau Cheo cemetery, located in Chanh neighborhood, Gia Binh ward, Trang Bang town. This is the resting place of the pioneers and founders of Gia Binh village from over 200 years ago.

The ceremony of offering incense and delivering a congratulatory address for the inauguration of the Bau Cheo cemetery gate.

Recalling the past, Gia Binh village was officially established in 1845 following a decision by Cao Huu Duc, the acting Governor of Tay Ninh . At that time, Gia Binh was one of 12 newly established villages belonging to Ham Ninh commune, Quang Hoa district, Tay Ninh province. The establishment of Gia Binh village bears the mark of the contributions of our ancestors, who are now resting in the Bau Cheo cemetery.

Notably, there are two tombs: that of Lord Dương Tấn Phong, the ancestor of the Dương clan in Gia Bình, and that of Lord Dương Tấn Quá, who pioneered the land, established settlements, gathered people to form villages, and built cultural and social institutions in Gia Bình. Because of their immense contributions, they are revered by the local people as guardian deities and worshipped at Trung Gia Bình communal house.

The cemetery still retains the remnants of a pond and hundreds of graves, belonging to many generations. Besides the graves of the two founding ancestors of the Duong family, there are also many graves of famous figures such as the village elder Le Van Thuan, the renowned painter Ta Van Kien (commonly known as painter Nam Kien, artistic name Hoa Binh)...

The cemetery still contains many ancient tombs made of laterite, bluestone, and composite materials, showcasing artistic merit. The tombstones are inscribed with Chinese characters; later, many tombs were inscribed in bilingual Chinese-Vietnamese or purely in the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script. The styles of the tombs reflect the characteristics of different ethnic groups, families, and time periods, from ancient times to the modern era.

Elders, local people, citizens, and youth union members attended the inauguration ceremony of the Bau Cheo cemetery gate.

In September 2022, researcher Duong Cong Duc, Deputy Head of the Bau Cheo Cemetery Management Board, along with local residents, erected a memorial stele at the "Bau Cheo Ancient Cemetery" to show respect and commemorate the 177th anniversary (1845-2022) of the founding of Gia Binh village. The stele bears the inscription: "May we forever remember the kindness and contributions of our ancestors."

By the end of 2024, researcher Duong Cong Duc undertook the construction of the gate and access road to Bau Cheo Cemetery. The gate was built in the traditional Southern Vietnamese architectural style, with a tiled roof. The front bears the inscription "Bau Cheo Cemetery. Gia Binh - Trang Bang - Tay Ninh," while the back reads "Forever grateful for the contributions of our ancestors."

The Trung Gia Binh communal house's celebratory committee, along with local people, offered prayers and thanks at the graves of the village's ancestors in the Bau Cheo cemetery.

The project was completed and inaugurated by the Gia Binh Ward Youth Union on the 27th day of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon). The ceremony was held solemnly according to traditional rituals, witnessed by Comrade Cao Van Thanh - Vice Chairman of the Gia Binh Ward People's Committee, researcher Nguyen Quoc Viet - former Vice Chairman of the Tay Ninh Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, the Gia Binh Trung Temple Celebration Committee, the Bau Cheo Cemetery Management Board, the Duong family of Gia Binh, elders, relatives, local people, and youth union members.

Dressed in traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), people offered incense at the altar located in the middle of the cemetery gate. After the ceremony at the gate, they lit incense at the graves inside the cemetery.

Elders, relatives, and local people attended the ceremony to pay respects at the graves of the ancestors.

Allowing the Gia Binh Ward Youth Union to organize the inauguration ceremony is also a way to educate the younger generation about the tradition of remembering one's roots and showing gratitude to the ancestors who made significant contributions to Gia Binh homeland.

After the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2015), researcher Duong Cong Duc and the local people continued to restore the tombs of the two ancestral figures Duong Tan Phong and Duong Tan Qua, and further beautify the landscape in the cemetery. The work was completed in mid-April (lunar calendar). The two tombs were restored in a grand style, following the ancient tomb style of the Southern region, with screens, surrounding walls, and tombstones. The tombs are decorated with lotus flowers and painted in traditional colors. The tomb of ancestral figure Duong Tan Phong has a low gate leading to it, allowing visitors to bow in respect to their ancestors.

At the tomb of the ancestor Duong Tan Qua, a green stone stele from the time of its initial construction is still preserved, bearing the inscription "Duong family. High-ranking ancestor Duong Tan Qua. Branch tomb." Several surrounding tombs have also been restored. The cemetery also features large trees planted within its grounds and a pavilion built for relatives to prepare offerings, rest, and share stories when visiting the tomb.

The tomb of the ancestor Duong Tan Qua after restoration.

On May 18, 2025, the Bau Cheo Cemetery Management Board held a memorial service. The ceremony was attended by the Trung Gia Binh communal house's ceremonial committee, the Gia Binh ward delegation, elders, relatives, and local residents.

People come to pay their respects at the ancestral graves, bringing flowers, fruits, incense, candles, roasted pork, boiled chicken, sticky rice cakes, sponge cakes, etc. The ceremony is performed by Mr. Vuong Van Mum - Head of the Celebration Committee, along with the Celebration Committee of Trung Gia Binh communal house, following tradition. Then, successive generations of descendants come to offer incense and visit the graves of their ancestors. After the ceremony, the elders meet at the cemetery to agree on matters of continued restoration and renovation, establish regulations for good cemetery care, and choose the 25th day of the Lunar New Year each year, from 7 am to 10 am, as the time for communal grave cleaning for all clans.

Phi Thanh Phat

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/ve-tham-nghia-trang-co-mo-bau-cheo-a191085.html