Known as the second imperial city of the later Le dynasty, the Lam Kinh area in Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa is a special national relic that has kept mysterious tales about the most flourishing feudal reign in Vietnam’s history.
Lam Kinh was originally Lam Son, the homeland of national hero Le Loi (1385-1433). He led the Lam Son uprising to fight the Chinese Ming invaders (1418-1428). Le Loi came to the throne in 1428 and was given the title Le Thai To, becoming the first king of the later Le dynasty. In 1430, Le Thai To renamed Lam Son as Lam Kinh (alias Tay Kinh) and built royal temples and tombs there. Kings of the Le dynasty (1428-1788) annually made a pilgrimage from Thang Long citadel to Lam Kinh to pay tribute to their ancestors.
Lam Kinh has the tombs of the kings of the Le dynasty, including Huu Lang - the tomb of King Le Thai Tong; Lang Khon Nguyen,- the tomb of Queen Ngo Thi Ngoc Giao, (mother of King Le Thanh Tong); Chieu Lang- King Le Thanh Tong; Du Lang- King Le Hien Tong; and Kinh Lang-King Le Tuc Tong. Each tomb has its own architecture and different flanking statues. Particularly, the tomb of Queen Ngo Thi Ngoc Giao is flanked by women statues.
By Trinh Bo
Discovering the area by electric vehicles.
The well, used to be the water source for Lam Kinh, has clear water all year round.
The ancient banyan tree inside the relic.
Visitors should go through the southern gate to enter the central sanctum.
The site has many steles, the most remarkable of which is Vinh Lang.
Two stone dragons in front of the central sanctum of Lam Kinh.
Pillars made from valuable wood in the historical site.
The historical site preserves architectural features of the later Le dynasty.
Lam Kinh was originally Lam Son where national hero Le Loi (1385-1433) led the Lam Son uprising to fight the Chinese Ming invaders (1418-1428).
The beauty of the Vietnamese architecture at the historical site.
Visiting the tomb of King Le Thai To.
Lam Kinh, where Le Loi, national hero Le Lai and other kings of the Le dynasty are worshipped.
Offering incenses to King Le Thai To.
The mysterious “laughing” guava tree at the historical site.
A flag of the Lam Son uprising is reintroduced at the area.
Lam Kinh is a historical proof of the nation.