Besides continuing to invest in research, archaeology, and the protection and preservation of the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage, promoting and showcasing the value of this heritage to friends both domestically and internationally is a key task.
Ho Citadel (Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province) is associated with a turbulent period in Vietnamese society, becoming a globally significant landmark, serving as both a center of power and a military fortress, demonstrating a masterful integration of architecture with cultural and natural landscapes.
Nearly 15 years after being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site (2011-2025), Thanh Hoa province is gradually preserving and promoting the value of the heritage.
The Ho Dynasty Citadel, an ancient capital in Vietnam, has also undergone numerous excavations, yielding valuable evidence that has greatly contributed to the restoration and preservation of this unique stone citadel.
Promoting the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site.
Following UNESCO's recommendations and the commitment of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, from 2011 to the present, the Ho Citadel World Heritage Conservation Center has collaborated with the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences ) and the Vietnam Archaeological Association to promote underground archaeological activities at the heritage site.
With the goal of excavating a total area of 56,000m2, including 25,000m2 of the Inner Citadel area, 12,000m2 of the moat, 5,000m2 of the four city gates, and 14,000m2 of the Royal Road, scientists and historians discovered many important pieces of evidence that helped clarify the construction techniques of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. This greatly contributed to the protection and restoration of the heritage site, which is deteriorating in many areas.
The comprehensive research, excavation, and archaeological studies of the heritage site are gradually "unveiling" the material cultural traces of the Ho Dynasty Citadel from various periods that were buried underground.
The People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province is focusing resources and increasing investment to complete the excavation targets as planned.
In particular, Thanh Hoa province pays special attention to the six steps of the excavation process: preparing the excavation site and equipment; excavating using manual methods; restoring the excavation site; organizing excavation results and creating artifact records; holding scientific workshops; systematizing excavation results and building a scientific report to phase investment, ensuring the approved plan is followed.
The South Gate of Ho Dynasty Citadel, located in Vinh Loc district (formerly), Thanh Hoa province. Ho Dynasty Citadel is one of the important archaeological sites, where many ancient artifacts and relics have been unearthed, including unusual round stone projectiles. (Photo: Hoa Mai/TTXVN).
To support management and conservation efforts, the Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology and international experts, is conducting surveys and developing a project to create a digital satellite map using the Global Information System (MAP GIS) for the heritage site.
In particular, Thanh Hoa province is focusing on developing a strategic archaeological map for the nominated and specially protected heritage area, including the Imperial Citadel, the Outer Citadel, the Nam Giao area, the Royal Road, etc. Subsequent phases will focus on developing various types of maps to serve heritage management in the buffer zone.
Mr. Nguyen Ba Linh, Director of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, said that the application of digital technology brings many benefits to the work of archiving, managing, researching, preserving, promoting the value of heritage and fostering sustainable tourism development of the Ho Dynasty Citadel.
In addition, the mindset, awareness, and professional skills of the tour guides have been enhanced, bringing satisfaction to the public when visiting and experiencing tourism products at the heritage site.
The Ho Dynasty citadel, an ancient capital in Vietnam: A bright spot for tourism development.
In addition to continuing to invest in research, archaeology, and the protection and preservation of the heritage, promoting and showcasing the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel to friends both domestically and internationally is a key task.
To exploit and promote the unique value of the heritage site and attract a large number of tourists, the Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has continuously "renewed" itself with diverse tourism products linked to the inherent resources and distinctive characteristics of the land and people of Tay Do. This is also the way the Ho Citadel attracts tourists throughout all four seasons.
In order to bring heritage closer to the public, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has designed an outdoor exhibition space to showcase artifacts.
Currently, the exhibition space displays and introduces a system of typical foundation stones and architectural materials discovered during excavations in the inner city area of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site, serving scientific research and the needs of tourists.
The Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center organizes many activities such as: displaying models of cannons and reforms of the Ho Dynasty; a cultural space showcasing agricultural practices in the Western Capital region; an exhibition space of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, its history, legends, and archaeology; and an exhibition space of citadel building stones, creating a new check-in point at the South Gate...
The center organizes folk games and introduces unique local cuisine and OCOP products. With the development of four tour routes: Ho Citadel - A Journey to the Heritage Region; Ho Citadel - Traditional Villages; Ho Citadel - Spirituality in the Buffer Zone; and Ho Citadel - Historical Sites and Scenic Spots in the Buffer Zone, the center has incorporated nearby historical sites in the buffer zone into the heritage site's tour program, while also giving visitors a more comprehensive view of the land and people of the Tay Do - Ho Citadel region.
Visitors can experience diverse cultural spaces through exhibits of artifacts and archaeological models related to the cultural characteristics of the heritage site. My children thoroughly enjoyed the new experiences here."
Tourist Nguyen Kieu Lien (from Quang Ninh) said: "After returning after 5 years, I see that Ho Citadel has undergone many noticeable changes. The tourism products here are more diverse, not just limited to visiting the stone citadel as before."
Deep underground archaeological excavations have unearthed hundreds of stone cannonballs of various sizes, which are now on display at the precious artifacts exhibition hall of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Conservation Center in Thanh Hoa province. (Photo: Hoa Mai/VNA).
Visitors can experience diverse cultural spaces through exhibits of artifacts and archaeological models related to the cultural characteristics of the heritage site. My children thoroughly enjoyed the new experiences here."
One distinctive feature that contributes to affirming the value of Ho Dynasty Citadel is its close connection with the lives of the local people.
The Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center places special emphasis on heritage education for students through experiential learning programs linked to local history and culture. This is an effective approach to fostering patriotism and a sense of heritage preservation in the younger generation.
The center organizes numerous training courses to enhance tourism knowledge for people in the buffer zone, aiming to improve their awareness and skills in welcoming and behaving courteously towards tourists. This, in turn, creates synergy between heritage preservation and livelihood development for the local community.
According to Mr. Le Van Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province, the province always pays attention to allocating resources to invest in archaeological excavation and preservation, and preventing degradation at Ho Dynasty Citadel.
The innovation and diversification of tour routes, linked to the unique characteristics of the Heritage site, has contributed to fundamentally changing the perceptions of tourists and local communities when visiting.
Tour routes are constantly being expanded and enhanced to include historical sites, scenic spots, and traditional villages within the heritage area.
Ho Citadel is a World Cultural Heritage site located in Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province - also known as Tay Do to distinguish it from Dong Do (Thang Long-Hanoi).
This is one of the most unique stone architectural works in Vietnam and the world, built in 1397, and once considered the capital and socio-political cultural center of Dai Ngu Kingdom under the Ho Dynasty.
Nearly 15 years after being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ho Citadel has become an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.
Source: https://danviet.vn/dao-khao-co-sau-long-dat-o-mot-kinh-do-co-hoanh-trang-xay-dung-nam-1397-o-thanh-hoa-day-la-hien-vat-la-thay-nhieu-nhat-print1375932.html
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