An old stone tomb built more than 100 years  ago was found when local residents were digging ground to make a path to Phú Thọ Post Office, located on Lý Thường Kiệt Street in HCM City’s District 10.

The tomb, more than 1.2 metres wide and 2 metres long, had a stone stele that tilted after the digging process. The stele was inscribed with the name of Mr. Nguyễn Văn Xương living in Châu Thành and Chợ Lớn. The maker of the tomb was Xương’s nephew named Nguyễn Văn Hậu.

The tomb may have been built in the Year of the Snake (1905). Other local scholars said the tomb was built in 1845 under the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng (1820 – 1840).

However, given the job title of Nguyễn Văn Xương carved on the stele, some researchers disagreed about the 1845 date.

The leaders of Phú Thọ Post Office said they had postponed construction to wait for more directions from the authorities.

Phạm Thành Nam, head of the heritage division under the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports, was quoted as saying in Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper that Phú Thọ Post Office is located close to Thành Thái Street where several ancient tombs had been found. — VNS