LAI CHÂU — A stone stele created during the reign of King Lê Thái Tổ (1428-33) in the northwest mountainous border province of Lai Châu has been recognised as a national treasure and the memorial site for the king has been listed as a national historical site.

A ceremony to announce the recognition was recently held in Nậm Nhùn District of the province.

King Lê Thái Tổ, real name Lê Lợi, was the founder of the Later Lê dynasty (1428-1788). In 1431, the king ordered the creation of the stele on a cliff at the Đà River’s north side at the foot of Pú Huổi Chỏ Mountain. It served as a warning to rebels in the country. 

The stele was named a national historical site in 1981. It was moved to a temple dedicated to King Lê Lợi, 500 metres from the previous place, for preservation in 2012 and was officially listed as a national treasure in late 2016.

The Lê Lợi King memorial site was recognised as a national historical site in early 2017. 

Another King Stele that was carved during the reign of Lê Hiến Tông King (1461-1504) has also received recognition as a national treasure, approved by the Prime Minister. It is the ninth historical item of the central province of Thanh Hóa and the fourth item of Lam Kinh Historical Site that has been granted such a title.

The stele notes describes the life and career of Lê Hiến Tông, the king who was reputed for his intelligence and kindness.

Manually and sophisticatedly carved from stone, the stele is assessed as a unique historical item that represents the artistic style of a new development phrase in Việt Nam’s history during the reign of King Lê Hiến Tông. It is also a precious reference for studies of history, culture, arts and stone carving during the Later Lê Dynasty. — VNS