The tomb, located in the Ru But area of Kim Lien Commune, was excavated by the Nghe An-Soviet Nghe Tinh Museum in cooperation with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
The tomb was discovered in a private garden in what was formerly Nam Giang Commune, Nam Dan District, now part of Kim Lien Commune.
An initial survey found part of the tomb entrance exposed over an area about 1.5 metres wide. Archaeologists recorded several types of ancient bricks, including rectangular bricks and wedge-shaped bricks with trapezoidal cross-sections.
A range of glazed pottery and metal artefacts were found inside the tomb, with the two iron swords attracting particular attention from researchers.
According to an initial assessment by the Nghe An-Soviet Nghe Tinh Museum, archaeologists have not previously recorded similar swords in brick tombs of the same period in Nghe An.
Researchers hope the swords will provide further evidence about the tomb, the lives of people at the time and potentially the identity and social status of the person buried there.
The emergency excavation was launched because the tomb lies in a private garden beside a local road, with part of the structure already exposed and at risk from weather, construction, urbanisation or looting.
The excavation covers about 70 square metres and is scheduled to run for 40 days, from August 10 to September 18, including the cataloguing of artefacts and restoration of the site.
Based on the construction materials and techniques, researchers have provisionally dated the tomb to between the fourth and seventh centuries.
The excavation aims to uncover the remaining buried sections and determine the tomb's size, structure, age, burial practices and artefact assemblage to better assess its archaeological significance.
The work is led by Nguyen Van Anh, head of the Faculty of History and Culture at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
After excavation and study, the artefacts will be transferred to the Nghe An-Soviet Nghe Tinh Museum for preservation along with the scientific documentation. Any human remains found are expected to be reburied at the site or in a local cemetery.
The findings will help researchers determine whether further excavation is needed and inform plans to protect and preserve the site.
If the tomb proves to be of significant historical value, it could eventually be preserved and displayed and linked with other heritage sites in the area.
Researchers said determining the origin, age and characteristics of the two iron swords could provide important evidence about the tomb's occupant and the social context of Nghe An between the fourth and seventh centuries.