The tomb was built in the 1880s under the orders of Emperor Tu Duc. It was more than a tomb...it was a palace, religious site , summer house, hunting preserve and his tomb. He was one of the longest serving emperors and he was able to enjoy all of the additional facilities for a period of 25 years before he died. Tu Duc was a short man, 4' 7", and none of the mandarin statues could be taller than he was.
After returning to our nice hotel, Gold Hotel, we showered and were ready for a group dinner. The restaurant, Lac Thanh, is written up in numerous travel guides including the Lonely Planet's "Viet Nam" book. The owner is deaf and personally welcomes everyone, takes orders my menu numbers, serves and entertains. The lady in the picture is cooking a delicious crisp wanton-like pancake. The owner is showing me how to take the won ton, break it in pieces and wrap it in a thin rice wrap, dip it in delicious sauce and eat it...I must have eaten 7 of the rice wrap rolls. The picture of of our guide Thou, shows him using the owner's designed device for opening beer bottles...something like a painter's stir stick with a 1/4 " short bolt held by a nut...it is very effective since our group consumed at least a case of beer. We each received a beer bottle opener as a souvenir with the request that we take a picture of ourselves back home with a landmark and send it back to the owner...I plan on using the White House as a backdrop. The woman and little girl are the daughter and granddaughter of the owner.
Back to the hotel, well satisfied, to bed so that we are ready for our departure at 8AM for Hoi An
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