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Cover of the newly published book on vestiges of King Quang Trung's tomb by Nguyen Dac Xuan. Photo V.T |
The newly published book named "Finding vestiges of Dan Duong palace" by the researcher Nguyen Dac Xuan shows that King Quang Trung's tomb locates within the area of four pagodas, including Thien Lam, Van Phuoc, Dieu Duc, and Kim Tien in Binh An hamlet, Hue City. Binh Dinh newspaper reporter gets to know him.
Q: What is your biggest difficulty in finding vestiges of King Quang Trung's tomb?
A: "Finding vestiges of King Quang Trung's tomb" is a very difficult topic. Both French and Vietnamese historians gave up the discovery. Everything has been more difficult for an amateur like me. I had no time, no support, and no legal status to find the information for the research.
Q: What helped you overcome difficulties?
A: Thanks to my love for Hue, history, and King Quang Trung. My belief and the support of all people and scholars also helped me.
Q: The finding of King Quang Trung's tomb attracted much attention. Historians called it a non-exit-tunnel. What help you find the results?
A: I'm an amateur researcher, but I love Hue. I, therefore, collected all information relating to Hue. Works by Ngo Thi Nham and Phan Huy Ich helped me a lot. Phan Huy Ich, for example, wrote: Dan Duong tomb situates near Thien Lam pagoda. I'm the first finding the very valuable information. After 50 year, a historical work written in Nguyen dynasty wrote: Nguyen Hue's tomb was buried in the south bank of Huong river. They led me find the results.
Q: Vestiges of Dan Duong tomb disappeared, why did you spend 20 years finding it?
A: Supposing that vestiges of King Quang Trung's tomb disappeared, vestiges of Dan Duong palace where Dan Duong tomb is buried would still exist. Anyway, the palace must be identified to remind people of a national hero. When Dan Duong palace is identified, the position of Dan Luong tomb can be easily positioned.
Q: You have had the book published. What is your purpose?
A: It isn't easy to collect all works relating to Dan Duong palace and Dang Duong tomb because there are different sources. Vestiges of King Quang Trung's tomb will be able to be devastated before functional bodies pay attention to them. I had my studies published because I'm afraid I won't be able to do it if my health becomes worse.
Q: Is there any issue that needs more findings?
A: My results show that Dan Duong palace, where King Quang Trung's tomb is buried, is the posterior personification of Duong Xuan province. It situates in the area of four pagodas: Thien Lam, Van Phuoc, Dieu Duc, and Kim Tien at Binh An hamlet, Hue city. But the position of the grave in which King Quang Trung's body was buried in the autumn of 1972 in the area of Dan Duong palace is still unknown. Archaeologists will find the answer.
Q: All findings are only on paper. An archaeological excavation needs to be carried out. Have you had any discussion with relevant bodies?
A: I've talked with local and relevant bodies since 1992 and silence was their response. But it's different now. Thua Thien Hue province has a great concern about the issue. I hope Dan Duong palace will be rebuilt in the coming time and it will become a part of the ancient capital of Hue.
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