VietNamNet Bridge - A family in the central province of Quang Binh while digging a foundation, discovered an ancient tomb with a stone stele engraved with five ancient Chinese characters, translated as "Princess Ly Kieu Oanh."





Recently, the family of Mr. Pham Van Nam, in Hai Thanh ward, Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province, dug a foundation to build a house and discovered an ancient tomb, in rectangular shape, built of bricks, with a height 0.8 m, a width of 3.9 m, and a length of 3.5 m long.

There was a stone stele in the grave, carved with five ancient Chinese characters, translated as "Princess Ly Kieu Oanh." A number of pieces of ceramics of the Ming Dynasty (14th to 14th centuries) were also found in the grave.

According to experts, it is highly possible that this is the grave of "Princess Ly Kieu Oanh" and the owner of the tomb was related to a historical character named Ho Cuong.



The stone stele found in the grave.


Ho Cuong was a general of the Tran Dynasty, who reclaimed and built villages in the area of Nhan Trach, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province. He also fought foreign invaders and participated in many famous battles in the Nhat Le River and Bau Tro Lake.

According to Dr. Mai Hong, director of the Center for Research and Application of Vietnamese Buddhism, "princess" was a title granted by the king at that time, not necessarily to be descendants of the king.

The excavation and the research are still ongoing.

Compiled by S. Ha