Gò Công Explained

Gò Công
Official Name:Gò Công city
Native Name:Thành phố Gò Công
Settlement Type:Provincial city (Class-3)
Pushpin Map:Vietnam
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Gò Công in Vietnam
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Tiền Giang
Leader Title:Chairman of the People's Committee
Leader Name:Giản Bá Huỳnh
Leader Title1:Secretary
Leader Name1:Nguyễn Kiên Cường
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:February 16, 1987
Area Total Km2:102.3588
Population As Of:December 31, 2022
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:151,937
Population Density Km2:auto
Coordinates:10.3667°N 146°W
Postal Code:84300

Gò Công is a provincial city (thành phố thuộc tỉnh) of Tiền Giang province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The city of Gò Công is not to be confused with East Gò Công and West Gò Công Districts (Vietnamese: huyện Gò Công Đông and Vietnamese: huyện Gò Công Tây) which also belong to the Tiền Giang Province.

The Royal Mausoleums

Gò Công City is characterized by its numerous canals, orchards, and fields. It is notable for the Lang Hoang Gia (Royal Mausoleums), an ancient architectural complex. The mausoleum complex is situated in Long Hung Commune, in Gò Công Town, near National Highway 50, approximately 30 kilometers from Mỹ Tho Town. This site serves as the burial place for members of the Pham Dang lineage, a prominent clan of mandarins and courtiers in the southern region during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The complex

The mausoleums for the deceased aristocrats are constructed facing each other on both sides of a road, covering an area of nearly 3,000 square meters. The complex is enclosed by a wall measuring 80 centimeters in thickness and 90 centimeters in height. The gate, which is now covered with moss, leads to a path lined with two rows of pines that direct visitors to the mausoleums.

Construction

The mausoleums were built by locals and carpenters from Huế in the central region. Therefore, the complex reflects a traditional Huế architectural style. Several kinds of wood were used in the construction of the mausoleum, mostly brought in from the then feudal capital of Huế. No nails were used to connect the wooden pillars, rafters or roof beams of the complex. Wooden tablets with sacred oriental animals and flowers are carved into the surface of much of the wood, creating a great solemnity inside the mausoleums, while imposing pillars add a majesty to the complex.

The Grand Duke

Among the 13 mausoleums built between 1811 and the early 20th century, the mausoleum of Grand Duke —father of Queen Consort (Phạm Thị Hằng) of the (1802–1945) and maternal grandfather of King Tự Đức (1829–1883)—is the most impressive of all. It is located on a mound covering more than 800 square meters and according to local residents, the grand duke was buried in a sitting position inside a two-layered coffin.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: General Statistics Office of Vietnam . General Statistics Office of Vietnam

    . General Statistics Office of Vietnam . Completed Results of the 2019 Population and Housing Census . PDF . Hanoi . Statistical Publishing House . 2019 . 37 . 978-6047515325 . 2023-08-02 .

  2. Source: VietNamNet/TN Reported by Pham Du Ky