All about Citadel of Ho Dynasty

Reviewing the tourist destination of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, we realized that there is a historical destination that you should add to your Vietnam travel guide called Citadel of Ho Dynasty. What makes the Citadel of Ho Dynasty so attractive to tourists? Let Smile Travel answer the above question for you in this article.

Read more: Explore Ben En National Park

1. Introduction to Citadel of Ho Dynasty

In the heart of Qing country, bustling with people, there is a proud Citadel of Ho Dynasty, standing there with the fading of time. This is considered a stone construction that remains today.

The Citadel of Ho Dynasty is located in Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, about 45km from Thanh Hoa city center and about 160km from Hanoi capital center. Previously, the Citadel of Ho Dynasty used to be the capital of Vietnam during the feudal period, now it has become a historical relic with ancient beauty, an important historical witness and is visited by many tourists. mandarin.

In particular, on June 27, 2011, Citadel of Ho Dynasty was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, becoming the pride of the people of Thanh Hoa in particular and of Vietnam in general.

Currently, when visiting the Citadel of Ho Dynasty you need to buy a ticket. Reference ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults: 40,000 VND/person
• Children from 7-12 years old: 20,000 VND/person

2. History of Citadel of Ho Dynasty

In the spring of the year Dinh Suu (1397), by order of King Tran Nhan Tong, the acting minister Ho Quy Ly started construction of Tay Do Citadel, the predecessor of today’s Ho Dynasty Citadel. This massive construction is not only a solid fortress but also a strategic step in Ho Quy Ly’s plan to seize power. He took advantage of the citadel construction to force King Tran to move the capital to Thanh Hoa, creating favorable conditions for overthrowing the Tran Dynasty and establishing the Ho Dynasty in 1400.

3. Explore the unique architecture of the Citadel of Ho Dynasty

According to historical records, the Citadel of Ho Dynasty was built massively and magnificently, no less than the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. However, following the fierceness of war and time, many Palaces were built. in the Citadel of Ho Dynasty was destroyed and buried, leaving only evidence as it is today.

Join us to explore the unique remaining architecture of the Citadel of Ho Dynasty below:

3.1. Front gate (South gate)

This is the main gate leading into the center of the Citadel of Ho Dynasty. The Citadel of Ho Dynasty consists of 3 doors, of which: the central door is about 5.82m wide, 5.75m high and the two flanking doors are about 5.45m wide, 5.35m high. Surrounding is a wall system with a height of about 5-6m, the highest being 10m.

Directly with the main front gate is Hoa Nhai Street (Royal Street), paved with stone, 2.5km long, running straight to the Giao Nam altar.

Besides the southern gate, Citadel of Ho Dynasty has 3 other city gates in the remaining 3 directions: North – West – East. Thus, the 4 gates of the Citadel of Ho Dynasty: South – North – West – East corresponding to front, back, left, right, and are an architectural wonder. These gates are all designed in a unique arch style, with large stones skillfully stacked on top of each other, creating graceful curves. The amazing thing is that the architects at that time used extremely sophisticated stone arch construction techniques, without needing any type of adhesive, the stone blocks were still tightly attached to each other after hundreds of years. Each stone, with a weight of up to tens of tons, is placed in precise position, demonstrating the high level of construction techniques of the ancient Vietnamese people.

3.2. Hao Thanh

The Ho Dynasty Citadel‘s moat is a massive and sophisticated military structure. With a width of up to 90 meters, a bottom 52 meters wide and a depth of more than 6.5 meters, the moat is not only a solid barrier but also an engineering wonder. To ensure the durability of the project, the ancients used all crushed stone and gravel to line the bottom of the trench. Thanks to that, even after more than 600 years, the citadel still retains its majesty and stability, becoming a living testament to the talent and perseverance of the ancient Vietnamese people in building and protecting the country. .

 

3.3. La Thanh

La Thanh, the forecourt of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, was built on a natural mound about 6 meters high and about 9.2 meters wide. With this prime location, La Thanh not only acts as a protective wall but also creates a unique architectural space. The building is designed with a steep exterior and a gentle interior, combined with gravel paving in some locations to increase stability. In addition, the combination of soil embankment and bamboo planting techniques has helped La Thanh link the mountains and the Buoi and Ma river basins, forming a complete defense system.

3.4. Nam Giao Altar

Located in the south of La Thanh, the Nam Giao Altar is one of the important spiritual structures of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. With a large total area and multi-layered structure, the Nam Giao Altar has created a sacred and solemn space. The central platform is 21.7 meters high, surrounded by three walls, and is the place where worshiping ceremonies take place to pray for good weather, peaceful people, a prosperous dynasty, etc. This uniqueness not only shows dignity but also reflects the knowledge of astronomy and feng shui of the ancients.

4. Some notes when visiting the Citadel of Ho Dynasty

To have a convenient and meaningful visit to the Citadel of Ho Dynasty, here are some notes that Smile Travel would like to tell you:

• You should visit from December to February, this is probably the ideal time because the weather is pleasant, sunny, sometimes chilly, with little rain, allowing you to explore every corner of this Citadel.
• You should choose sneakers or flat sandals for convenience when walking on dirt roads.
• Do not litter the relics indiscriminately, affecting the natural beauty.
• Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture beautiful moments at the Citadel of Ho Dynasty.

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The Citadel of Ho Dynasty is truly an ideal destination for those who are passionate about learning about history and culture. Hopefully Smile Travel‘s sharing will help you in your journey to visit the Citadel of Ho Dynasty.

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