Ho Dynasty Citadel Relics - The "unique" stone architecture citadel

Ho Dynasty Citadel (also known as Tay Do Citadel) in Vinh Long and Vinh Tien communes, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, is one of the most unique stone architectural works in Vietnam and the world .

The Ho Dynasty Citadel is a groundbreaking phenomenon in terms of techniques for mining, crafting and constructing a large structure with large stone blocks as the basic material. Although it is not the only structure in the country and the region with stone architecture, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is still an “unprecedented” demonstration of a different and unique construction technique.

The project was built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397, also known as Tay Do to distinguish it from Dong Do (Thang Long-Hanoi), which was once considered the capital, the political and social cultural center of Dai Ngu country under the Ho dynasty.

Ho Dynasty Citadel and its history

Thanh Nha Ho – the common name of the unique stone citadel that is still quite intact in the plains of the Ma and Buoi rivers, located in the villages of Tay Giai, Xuan Giai (Vinh Tien commune), Dong Mon (Vinh Long commune), Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province. The citadel also has other names such as: An Ton, Tay Do, Thanh Hoa citadel, Tay Kinh, Thach Thanh, Tay Giai.

*The Ho Dynasty Citadel World Cultural Heritage includes a 155.5ha nominated area within a 5,078.5ha buffer zone, including the entire stone citadel, ramparts, and moats. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)*

The Ho Dynasty Citadel is a groundbreaking phenomenon in terms of mining, manufacturing and construction techniques of a large structure with the basic material being large stone blocks. Although it is not the only structure in the country and the region with stone architecture, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is still an "unprecedented" demonstration of different and unique construction techniques. According to historical documents, in 1397, facing the risk of the country being invaded by the Ming invaders from the North, Ho Quy Ly chose An Ton land (now Vinh Loc, Thanh Hoa) to build the citadel in preparation for a long-term resistance war. As the capital of the Dai Viet state at the end of the Tran Dynasty and the beginning of the Ho Dynasty, Tay Do was built based on the basic principles of terrain, feng shui, the front and back of the citadel are both surrounded by rivers and mountains. The citadel is located at the border of the plains and mountains, with beautiful scenery, harmonious mountains and rivers, and diverse terrain creating military advantages. To the north is Tho Tuong mountain, to the west is Nguu Ngoa mountain, to the east is Hac Khuyen mountain, to the south is also the convergence of Ma river flowing from the west and Buoi river flowing to. Ho Dynasty Citadel is structured into 3 parts: La Thanh, Hao Thanh and Hoang Thanh.

The front gate (South Gate) is the main gate, with three doors. The middle gate is 5.82m wide and 5.75m high, the two side gates are 5.45m wide and 5.35m high. The average height of the wall is 5-6m, the highest point is the front gate, 10m high. Connected to the South Gate is the Hoa Nhai (Royal Road) paved with stone, about 2.5km long, leading to the Nam Giao altar (where the king performed rituals), built in August 1402. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

The entire citadel wall and four main gates were built with blue limestone slabs, meticulously carved, square, stacked tightly together without adhesives. The stone slabs are on average 1.5m long, some up to 6m long, and weigh an estimated 24 tons. The total volume of stone used to build the citadel is about 20,000m3 and nearly 100,000m3 of soil was elaborately dug and built. According to historical records, there are many other constructions in the citadel, such as Hoang Nguyen Palace, Dien Tho Palace (Ho Quy Ly's residence), Dong Cung, Tay Thai Mieu, Dong Thai Mieu, Tho Ky Mountain, Duc Tuong... very majestic, no different from the capital Thang Long. However, after more than six centuries of existence, most of the architectural works inside the Imperial Citadel have been destroyed or buried, but the four symbolic walls of the Ho Dynasty Citadel still retain their original architecture relatively intact, notably the four gates of the South, North, East, and West. Today, in addition to the exposed relics, conducting a general archaeological excavation of the Nam Giao Altar relic and excavating an area of tens of thousands of square meters, archaeologists have discovered thousands of relics and many architectural pieces showing the exchange and adaptation of the architecture of the Tran, Ho and Le dynasties such as the brick-paved yard, stone pillars, the King's Well... These are layers of cultural sediments, showing the continuity of historical periods and feudal dynasties in which the Ho dynasty was an indispensable link.

*The Nam Giao Altar of the Ho Dynasty Citadel is one of the three altars that still retain a relatively intact surface, the oldest in the history of the Nam Giao Altar of Vietnam. (Photo: Hoa Mai/VNA)*

Built and closely associated with a turbulent period of Vietnamese society, with the reforms of the Ho Dynasty and the proactive ideology of protecting national independence, the Ho Dynasty Citadel became a work of outstanding global value with the architecture of an Eastern capital, both a center of power and a military fortress, demonstrating the skillful connection between the architectural work and the cultural and natural landscape. Thanks to unique construction techniques, using sustainable materials, especially large stone blocks, over a period of more than 600 years with many historical ups and downs, to this day the Ho Dynasty Citadel is still preserved almost intact both above ground and underground in terms of landscape as well as architectural scale in the Southeast Asian region. After more than 600 years of existence with many historical events, on June 27, 2011, at the 35th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France, the World Heritage Committee officially decided to include the Ho Dynasty Citadel (Thanh Hoa) in the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. After 10 years of being recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage (2011-2021), the Ho Dynasty Citadel has preserved and promoted its inherent value, conducted many excavations and found many valuable data, contributing greatly to the restoration and embellishment of this "unique" stone citadel.

After more than 600 years of existence with many historical events, on June 27, 2011, at the 35th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France, the World Heritage Committee officially decided to include the Ho Dynasty Citadel (Thanh Hoa) in the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Fulfilling its commitment to UNESCO in heritage conservation, in the 10 years since the heritage was honored (2011-2021), Thanh Hoa province has focused on investing resources in archaeological excavation and conservation, preventing heritage degradation. In 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center excavated 12,000m2 of the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Moats; continued to coordinate with the Institute of Archaeology to conduct excavation research in the area of the Citadel's Main Hall and surrounding areas, in order to search for architectural traces of the Main Hall, Eastern Thai Temple, Western Thai Temple, etc.

Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel
Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel
Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel
Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel
Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel
Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel

Preliminary report on excavation results of the Eastern and Western Moats of Ho Dynasty Citadel

Along with archaeological excavation work, in recent years, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has also paid special attention to the conservation and restoration of the relics: Nam Giao Altar; waterproofing the South Gate; and urgent repair of the stone wall in the Northeast.

Protect and promote the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site

The People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has just approved the Plan for managing the World Cultural Heritage of Ho Dynasty Citadel for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2040. This plan was developed by the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province based on research results in the fields of history, archaeology and other related fields with the advice of international experts from UNESCO and the British Heritage Council.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink and Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Quyen performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the project to restore the dome and preserve the southern gate of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. (Photo: VNA)

The general objective of the Plan is to protect and promote the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site; at the same time, protect, preserve and enhance the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the heritage. From there, the locality proposes a sustainable approach to the management of the relic site in the future, aiming to achieve a balance between preserving the heritage site itself and the surrounding environment and cultural landscape, laying the foundation for sustainable tourism development. In addition, the province will have activities to promote the cultural andeducational values of the heritage site to local people and visitors. In the periods of 2021-2025, 2025-2030, Thanh Hoa province will carry out specific tasks such as building and completing the dossier of Tran Khat Chan temple to add to the nomination area; investigating, researching, excavating La Thanh, building a dossier to supplement the entire La Thanh relic site for recognition as a national relic; completing the landmark planting project; Continue to implement component project groups No. 1 and No. 2 as a basis for implementing project group No. 3 in the Master Plan for conservation and promotion of the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel and surrounding areas approved by the Prime Minister in 2015. At the same time, the province will implement the remaining excavation project groups including continued excavation of Hoe Nhai Street 12,500m2; excavation around the 4 citadel gates 5,000m2...

The People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has just approved the Plan for managing the World Cultural Heritage of Ho Dynasty Citadel for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2040, to protect and promote the value of the heritage site.

In addition, based on the practical situation, feasibility and socio -economic efficiency, with a vision to 2040, Thanh Hoa will implement the following projects: Restoring sections of the citadel moat based on excavation results; excavating the Royal Road; adding cross-roads in the East-West direction, planting more trees; building a visitor reception area, a place to organize cultural activities and festivals, display and manage heritage at the Kim Tan intersection; organizing accommodation space, tourism services, traditional culture on the route to Don Son Mountain...

The architectural patterns of the Ho Dynasty on the stone dragon are carved meticulously and elaborately. The dragon's body gradually tapers towards the tail, with seven curves, and a small, even dorsal fin. The dragon has four legs, each with three claws and soft, wavy tufts of fur. The dragon's head has been lost, but its long, wavy mane with nine folds remains. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

To carry out the above workload, the province will prioritize and accelerate the implementation of commitments on management, research and conservation with the World Heritage Center (WHC), and the investment progress of projects in the Master Plan for conservation and promotion of the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel and surrounding areas. To manage, conserve and promote the value of the heritage, Thanh Hoa will coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to complete the framework of mechanisms and policies and update new legal documents in the Management Plan for the period 2021-2025; at the same time, propose different levels of protection, conservation and promotion between regions, promote the implementation of commitments and projects in the decisions planned for the implementation phase. The province will expand the tourism space to the buffer zone, diversify sightseeing and special tourism products, and target the market segment of visitors according to groups with the need to learn about heritage.

*Teachers and students during an hour of discussion and presentation about Ho Dynasty Citadel – a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. (Photo: Khieu Tu/VNA)*

Based on the existing research results, the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage and the buffer zone are divided into 5 protection zones. Of which, zone 1 - the special protection zone is the core zone of the heritage, including 142.2 hectares of Ho Dynasty Citadel (Inner Citadel), La Thanh (9 hectares) and the Nam Giao Altar area (4.3 hectares); zone 2 is the ancient villages and above-ground relics including Xuan Giai, Dong Mon, Tay Giai villages, located near the southern, eastern and western gates of the Inner Citadel, with a total area of 52.33 hectares... In addition to promoting activities to protect, preserve and promote the value of the heritage, Thanh Hoa will pay more attention to building closer connections between units, levels of government and people as well as defining responsibilities in accordance with the authority and functions of each unit and level of government in each field. At the same time, the province strengthens the role of coordination, supervision and inspection of relevant ministries and branches, promoting community participation in the process of developing and implementing the World Cultural Heritage Management Plan of Ho Dynasty Citadel for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2040./. Source: https://special.vietnamplus.vn/2022/01/28/thanh_nha_ho/