Following the photovoice training course and the provision of cameras to local residents, many photographic works have been exhibited to the community in the heritage area.
Continuing its research on the heritage of Ho Citadel, over the past 10 years, Thanh Hoa province has allocated more than 90 billion VND to conduct archaeological excavations over a total area of 56,000m²; uncovering the moat, the Royal Road, the area around the four city gates, and the inner citadel.
Excavations of the southern gate area of Ho Dynasty Citadel have revealed the entire structure, which remains relatively intact, along with a section of the Royal Road paved with flagstones. Scientists have advised the province to preserve the excavation site in its current state as a tourist attraction.
According to Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Ho Citadel Heritage and Key Relics of the province: Archaeological excavations in the inner area of Ho Citadel have uncovered many architectural remains, foundations, courtyards paved with square bricks that are still quite intact, surrounding walls, especially Hoan Nguyen Palace.
This structure is large in scale and has a massive architecture. The stone bases of the columns have been identified as dating back to the Ly-Tran dynasties, and the roof tiles are inlaid with yellow glaze, a style commonly used in royal constructions. Outside the southern gate, a semicircular stone defensive line is visible, and near the gate are hundreds of stone cannonballs, ranging in diameter from 5 to 15 cm.
Recently, Thanh Hoa province decided to continue archaeological excavations of the remaining two foundation levels at the Nam Giao Altar, aiming to restore the Giao Ceremony at Tay Do; it is also planned to restore 1 km of the moat to the south, creating an additional tourist route and product for the destination .
Over the years, authorities have intensified efforts to raise awareness about heritage protection, prioritizing training and skill transfer for the people to participate in preserving and promoting the heritage value of Ho Citadel.
The authorities facilitated the re-establishment of traditional physical models by 10 households, enabling them to sell souvenirs, transport tourists, and introduce local products and cuisine of the Tay Do region, such as Quang Phu Lam tea, Bao ginseng, OCOP products, and processed products made from Centella asiatica; and coordinated with training centers to teach English to nearly 40 local people participating in tourism activities.
Following the photovoice training course, eight local residents were equipped with cameras to record and create works about the heritage of Ho Citadel, labor activities, production, and cultural life in the Tay Do area. Currently, Mr. Pham Ngoc Lan from Xuan Giai village, Tay Do commune, continues to explore the heritage site with his camera, capturing vivid moments rich in aesthetic value, telling stories of community life through images, and providing services to tourists.
The Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center supports the establishment of art clubs in the heritage area to preserve folk culture, traditional arts, and theater. Clubs such as Ninh Khang Ca Tru, Lang Beo Tuong, and Xuan Ang Cheo maintain their activities, effectively preserving and recreating traditional art forms, attracting a large number of people to participate, enjoy, and create culture.
Not only did they successfully compose and perform the art program "Vinh Loc's Sacred Spirits Converge," but folk artists, notably Meritorious Artist Tran Thi Doi and "folk art" artist Ha Thi Dien, also actively taught short plays, Cheo melodies, and folk songs to the people in the region.
Ms. Le Thi Tron, 82 years old, from Xuan Giai village, Tay Do commune, was the founder who mobilized resources to purchase and support costumes, equipment, and props to establish the Lang Beo Traditional Opera Club. She shared: "Passionate about traditional art, I gathered more than 20 people who love traditional opera to maintain practice and performances. Excerpts from operas such as 'Trung Nu Vuong', 'Tran Quoc Toan Goes to War', 'Tran Binh Trong', and especially the short opera 'The Flame of Hong Son' performed by the Lang Beo Traditional Opera Club, have won gold medals at national opera festivals."
The agency responsible for preserving and promoting the heritage of Ho Citadel focuses on mobilizing art clubs to participate in festivals, honoring Vietnamese cultural heritage, and performing arts for tourists; encouraging people to collect and donate approximately 350 artifacts per year to specialized agencies for management and promotion. They also proactively coordinate with schools to organize competitions on heritage knowledge, experience the techniques of citadel construction, and competitions such as painting and presentation contests titled "I'm a Tourist Guide."
Each year, tens of thousands of students return to their roots to learn about the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site and its surrounding relics. The Tran Khat Chan Temple, the traditional villages of Dong Mon, Xuan Giai, and Tay Giai are studied, along with the caves, landscapes, and natural features of the Tay Do region, which are designated for protection and value promotion. Currently, tours exploring the Kim Son Cave and other relics such as the Trinh Palace and Nghe Vet are becoming increasingly attractive, drawing visitors from all over.
Deputy Director of the Ho Dynasty Citadel and Key Relics Management Board of the province, Trinh Huu Anh, provided further information: Leveraging the rich collection of artifacts, the unit has arranged them logically, creating seamless connections and dividing them into exhibition areas to highlight the heritage's value, convey cultural messages, and emphasize the role of the community in preserving and promoting its value. The specialized agency has also coordinated with local residents to beautify and create more photo-taking spaces on the lotus pond in front of the southern gate of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. While the Ho Dynasty Citadel only received 78,500 tourists in 2016, it now receives nearly 270,000 tourists per year. However, the application of technology in promoting the heritage's value remains limited; currently, there are only QR code scanning methods to access destinations, and devices connected to smartphones installed by sponsors to encourage people to access and share images of the destination. Therefore, Thanh Hoa province needs to focus on investing in and promoting digital transformation, especially organizing 3D image projection spaces to highlight the integrity, authenticity, and outstanding global value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage, along with the unique, distinctive, and diverse features of the Tay Do cultural space, connecting with key historical sites to continuously improve the quality of service for tourists.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/cong-dong-tham-gia-bao-ton-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-post937952.html
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