The Autumnal Allure of Lam Kinh

29/08/2026
In autumn, the Special National Relic Site of Lam Kinh (Lam Son Commune) becomes a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors. Its expansive natural surroundings, harmonious landscape of mountains and forests, distinctive architectural and artistic structures, and profound historical and cultural significance create a unique appeal, offering visitors memorable experiences that linger long after their journey.

Visitors explore and experience the Special National Relic Site of Lam Kinh (Lam Son Commune).

On an August autumn morning, a large number of visitors came to explore and experience the Special National Relic Site of Lam Kinh. Riding an electric shuttle around the entire complex, visitors listened as tour guide Le Thi Thuc introduced its historical and cultural values while they enjoyed the cool atmosphere of the Lam Son mountains and forests.

With a clear, gentle voice, Thuc recounted that in 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor Le Thai To, establishing the Later Le Dynasty with Thang Long as its capital. In 1430, Le Thai To renamed the land of Lam Son as Tay Kinh, also known as Lam Kinh. After his death in 1433, Le Thai To was brought back to his homeland of Lam Son and buried at Vinh Lang. From that time, Lam Kinh became a royal mausoleum complex, serving as the burial and worship site for the ancestors, kings and queens of the Early Le Dynasty.

Over the centuries, with attention and investment from central and local authorities, Lam Kinh has gradually been restored, with many distinctive architectural and artistic structures reconstructed or newly built, including the Main Palace, ancestral temples, Nghinh Mon Gate, Dragon Courtyard and Bach Bridge.

The most prominent structure is the Main Palace, considered the “soul” of the entire relic complex. Restoration began in 2010 based on the remaining foundations and stone pedestal system, using more than 2,000 cubic meters of ironwood crafted by skilled artisans over many years. The palace features architecture strongly influenced by the Le Dynasty style and has been recognized by experts as one of the largest and most complex wooden architectural structures of its kind today. After years of construction, the Main Palace officially opened to visitors in early 2022.

In autumn, Lam Kinh’s landscape becomes even more picturesque, with green trees interspersed with soft golden hues, creating an atmosphere that is both ancient and contemplative. It is an ideal time for visitors to fully experience the sacred atmosphere and distinctive cultural heritage of the site.

Nguyen Thi Minh, a visitor from Phu Tho Province, said: “In autumn, Lam Kinh takes on a quiet and contemplative beauty. From the shade of ancient ironwood trees to stone-paved paths covered with golden leaves and the sound of bells ringing from the ancestral temples, everything gives visitors a nostalgic and peaceful feeling.”

With the assistance of tour guides, visitors can travel around the complex by electric shuttle or on foot, explore the beauty of its ancient forests, admire distinctive architectural works, and learn about the legacy of the Later Le Dynasty. These experiences leave lasting impressions on visitors.

Visiting Lam Kinh in autumn also gives tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the Lam Kinh Festival, held annually on the 21st and 22nd days of the eighth lunar month.

Bui Anh Tuyet, Deputy Director of the Management Board of the Ho Citadel Heritage Site and Key Relics of Thanh Hoa Province, said: “The annual Lam Kinh Festival is an occasion to commemorate and honor the contributions of national hero Le Loi and the commanders and soldiers of the Lam Son uprising. Alongside the solemn ceremonies, the festival features a variety of cultural performances and traditional folk games, offering visitors unique experiences such as Xuan Pha performances, Sanh Ngo dances, and exhibitions of artifacts and antiques from the Le Dynasty.”

To provide visitors with increasingly diverse experiences, the management board has been promoting a range of cultural and spiritual tourism products, green tourism, and distinctive local products, from traditional handicrafts to agricultural specialties serving tourism.

The site is also applying the Smart Travel Platform to support tourism development. Using a smartphone and the Smart Travel Platform application, visitors can learn about the destination in advance through virtual tours. Maintaining a green, clean and attractive environment, as well as planting additional flowers to create more photo opportunities, is also a priority.

As a result, since the beginning of the year, Lam Kinh has welcomed more than 457,000 visitors for sightseeing and experiential activities.

Source: Baothanhhoa.vn

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