In recent years, the tombs of emperors, royal family members, and high-ranking nobles in Vietnam have increasingly become targets for grave robbers hunting for antiquities. These violations have caused serious damage to cultural heritage and provoked widespread public outrage.

Le Tuc Tong’s royal tomb brazenly looted in broad daylight

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Deep hole dug by looters at King Le Tuc Tong’s tomb in search of antiquities. Photo provided by the police

In early May 2025, the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong (1469–1509), located in Xuan Giang Commune, Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province, was illegally excavated.

On May 3, two suspects, Deng Zhui and Shen JiangYang - both from Guangxi Province, China - used tools and scanning equipment to probe and dig at the king's tomb from morning to night. They fled the scene after noticing local residents nearby.

The next day, May 4, the pair were arrested in Quang Ninh Province while attempting to leave the country via Mong Cai City. They were transferred to Thanh Hoa Police for investigation on charges of desecrating a tomb.

King Le Tuc Tong’s tomb is a recognized provincial historical relic in Thanh Hoa, notable for its cultural and historical significance.

Repeated violations at Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat’s tomb

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The tomb of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat was disturbed by grave robbers. Photo: VOV

In the early hours of January 8, 2025, members of the Nguyen Phuoc clan council visiting Truong Thai Mausoleum in Long Ho Ward, Phu Xuan District, Hue City - resting place of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat (1714–1765) - discovered signs of unauthorized digging.

The dug area had been camouflaged with dried leaves and was only discovered during routine sweeping by site staff. Though the hole had been hastily refilled, freshly displaced soil and stones were still visible.

This was not the first time the site had been violated. During wartime, grave robbers also targeted the tomb, hoping to uncover buried gold and treasures.

Numerous tombs of the Nguyen lords, royal consorts, and even emperors have faced similar desecration. The tomb of Empress Dowager Tu Du was looted in the 1980s, and the tombs of Vinh Mau (mother of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu) and Vinh Thai (wife of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat) were also raided in 1990.

Other violated tombs include Boi Lang (King Kien Phuc), An Lang (King Duc Duc), Kien Thai Vuong’s tomb, and Truong Phong Mausoleum (Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu).

Fake documents used in grave robbery in Quang Nam

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Photo: VOV

In March 2012, in An Son Ward, Tam Ky City, a group of individuals forged local leaders’ signatures to illegally excavate a 300-year-old ancestral tomb of royal official Hoang Hoang Nhan from the Gia Long era.

The ancient tomb featured traditional architecture, solid stonework, large lotus-shaped columns, and inscriptions carved in old script. The coffin’s heavy stone lid, adorned with carvings, was violently removed.

Previously, the site was guarded by stone soldier statues, though they had disappeared over time.

Antiquities stolen from Khai Dinh's tomb

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Thien Dinh Palace, central chamber of Khai Dinh’s tomb, was broken into. Photo: Dan Tri

In December 2010, Khai Dinh’s tomb, part of the Hue Imperial Complex in Thuy Bang Commune, Huong Thuy Town, was breached by thieves who stole culturally valuable items.

Security guards reported that intruders likely accessed the site via a narrow path, entered Thien Dinh Palace, and escaped the same way. While the stolen items were few and of limited monetary value, they were priceless relics of cultural and historical importance.

Empress Dowager Tu Du’s tomb robbed of royal jewelry

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The tomb of Empress Dowager Tu Du after restoration. Photo: Gia Dinh & Xa Hoi

In the 1980s, the Xuong Tho Mausoleum of Empress Dowager Tu Du - mother of Emperor Tu Duc - located in Thuy Bang Ward, Thuan Hoa District, Hue City, was desecrated.

An investigation by Lao Dong newspaper in April 1990 revealed that a gang of six stole 18 to 19 items of royal jewelry, including gold bracelets, gemstone rings, gold-colored boxes, decorative gold buttons, colorful stone beads shaped like buttons, a rectangular green gemstone etched with a phoenix, and stone wristbands.

According to a 2022 Tuoi Tre report, several tombs were targeted in 1990 alone. On January 22, the tomb of Tong Thi Lanh (mother of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu) at Vinh Mau was looted. Just three days later, on January 25, the nearby tomb of Tong Thi Doi (mother of Lord Nguyen Phuc Thai) was also robbed.

On March 4, the tomb of Truong Thi Dung (wife of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat and grandmother of Emperor Gia Long) at Vinh Thai was raided in Duong Xuan Hill. A month later, the tomb of Dinh Vien Duke, brother of Emperor Minh Mang, was also desecrated.

Y Nhuy