Grave desecration in Thanh Hoa: Chinese perpetrators on the run!

Grave desecration in Thanh Hoa: Chinese perpetrators on the run!

On May 3, 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa was informed of a serious incident: the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong in Lam Kinh had been desecrated. The first inspection by employees of the Center for Historical Research and Conservation revealed noticeable damage and a deep hole measuring 90 cm x 52 cm, which was dug by three Chinese nationals. Among the artifacts found are 14 stone steles with Chinese characters and dragon decorations from the Le Dynasty and 15 dark gray bricks.

Thanh Hoa Provincial Police responded promptly to this incident and arrested the suspects while an investigation process was initiated in accordance with the law. The desecration of the grave raises questions not only about the safety of the historic site, but also about the preservation of the national heritage. The authority stressed that the current control of the other relics at the Lam Kinh historical site has been confirmed as safe.

Advances in Enlightenment

On May 7, the Center for Historical Research and Conservation officially announced that police were investigating a serious case of grave desecration. The tomb of King Le Tuc Tong is part of the Lam Kinh Special National Monument Complex. During the search, a cell phone with a Chinese user interface, identification papers of a Chinese citizen and a tattoo tool, which is often used to find antiques, were seized. According to the initial investigation, the two suspects, Deng Zhui (41 years old) and Shen JiangYang (43 years old), are trying to leave Vietnam via the northern border.

Both suspects were in Vietnam illegally via the Mong Cai International Border Gate on April 28, 2025. When arrested on May 4, it was discovered that the suspects fled in a taxi in which they had dug a deep hole at the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong. However, despite their concerted efforts, they did not find any valuable antiquities and left their tools on site.

Protection of historical sites

The Thanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism expressed concern about similar incidents in other provinces and called for strengthening the protection of historical sites. In Thanh Hoa, a total of 18 tombs of kings, queens and mandarins are classified as national monuments. In addition, 37 graves of ranked mandarins and 24 graves without rank are managed and protected by local authorities.

To prevent further thefts, the ministry is planning measures to strengthen protection and prevent illegal trade in relics. The historic sites are now equipped with camera systems, barbed wire fences and border markings to ensure a high level of security.

The case remains under close observation as investigations into the motives and methods of the grave desecration continue. King Le Tuc Tong, also known as Le Thuan, was the third son of King Le Hien Tong and reigned for only six months before dying on January 12, 1505.

For more information, visit the full reports vietnam.vn and vgt.vn.