Sketch of Thanh Chiem Town Park

The frank and scientifically-rich opinions from experts, researchers, historians, and others have initially outlined the vision for the Thanh Chiêm Citadel Cultural and Historical Park, linked to the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script, opening a new direction for a project that has been stalled for nearly a decade.

A connection to the heritage axis is needed.

At the scientific workshop on consulting solutions for preserving and promoting the value of Thanh Chiêm Citadel relics, organized by the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Dien Ban Ward People's Committee on January 30th, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, assessed: Thanh Chiêm Citadel is not only an old administrative site but also a symbol of the strategic vision of the Nguyen lords in their journey to expand the territory southward. Through the ups and downs of time, although the ancient temples and palaces are no longer intact, the "sacred spirit" of Thanh Chiêm lives on in the flow of national history.

The outstanding value of the Thanh Chiêm Citadel is evident in many aspects: it was a crucial political and military center of the Southern region of Vietnam, established by Lord Nguyễn Hoàng in 1602, serving as a southern "buffer"; it was an "extension" of the international trading port of Hội An, making Quảng Nam one of the most prosperous regions in the Southern region... In particular, Thanh Chiêm is the cradle of the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script. From the beginning of the 17th century, Western missionaries such as F. Pina and A. Rhodes chose this place to learn Vietnamese and spread their faith, laying the first foundations for the Latinization of the Vietnamese language – a unique cultural heritage that remains valuable to this day.

The area around Nguyen Du Secondary School (Dien Ban Ward, Da Nang City) is speculated to be the site of the former Thanh Chiem Citadel royal palace.

Associate Professor Dang Van Bai believes that the preservation of Thanh Chiem Citadel needs to be placed within a constructive development mindset, linking the relic with contemporary life. With most of the physical traces having disappeared, Thanh Chiem cannot simply remain an archaeological ruin but must become a living cultural space, where the history of territorial expansion, the memory of the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script, and the landscape of the Thu Bon River are recreated and connected. The eco-historical park model is considered a suitable approach, allowing for on-site preservation of the relic, the application of digital technology to reconstruct the ancient citadel space, and the development of educational, experiential, tourism, and cultural creative activities.

According to People's Artist Huynh Hung, former Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Da Nang City, because the Thanh Chiem Citadel has become a ruin, with no original architecture, artifacts, or clear foundations remaining, preservation, restoration, or museum construction plans lack scientific basis and are difficult to implement. The appropriate approach is to adjust the project towards practicality and cost-effectiveness, utilizing the existing space to create a cultural and historical park combined with a public park, featuring symbolic elements and displays using maps, models, 3D films, and digital technology. The park should be connected to the Hoi An - My Son heritage axis, becoming a highlight in the cultural tourism ecosystem of Central Vietnam.

You may also like

Ca Mau unveils new logo and reflects on a year since the province's merger.TPO - On the evening of June 30th, Ca Mau organized a program to celebrate the first anniversary of the province's merger (July 1st), announced the new logo, and launched a tourism stimulus program for 2026.

The "Comrades' House" - a support system that allows soldiers to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their work.In the sweltering heat of late June in Central Vietnam, joy still shone brightly on the face of Major Nguyen Canh Toan, a driver in Company 7, Battalion 682, Brigade 971, Department of Motor Vehicles and Transportation (General Department of Logistics and Technology), as he and his family received their new, spacious "Comrade's House" in Yen Dinh village, Dai Dong commune, Nghe An province.

Ca Mau: A year of consolidation – Opening new development spaces, launching a tourism boom.On the evening of June 30th, at Phan Ngoc Hien Square (An Xuyen Ward), Ca Mau province solemnly organized a program to commemorate the first anniversary of the province's merger, combined with the launching ceremony of the Ca Mau province tourism stimulus program for 2026.

The image shows a rendering of the main architectural design for a reconstruction plan of the Thanh Chiêm Citadel Cultural and Historical Park at the workshop.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

A GOOD PERFORMANCE MUST "LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE"

Mr. Phan Minh Dung, former Secretary of the Dien Ban Town Party Committee (formerly), believes that the restoration of Thanh Chiem Citadel should aim to make the relic "truly alive" in the awareness of officials and people, becoming a cultural destination linked to urban development and tourism. According to him, the determination of the conservation space needs to be carefully studied, in accordance with its historical and cultural value, avoiding hasty decisions without sufficient scientific documentation. The cultural and historical park must serve the community, linked to the bronze casting craft village and local products to create momentum for socio-economic development; at the same time, a conclusion on the planning and investment roadmap is needed soon, serving as a basis for advising the Da Nang City People's Committee to develop a specific project, ensuring feasibility during implementation.

Chairman of the Da Nang City Historical Science Association, Bui Van Tieng, emphasized that the Thanh Chiem Citadel must "live in the hearts of all people," first and foremost through the compilation and inclusion of the relic's content in local history education at all levels, aiming to cultivate a sense of appreciation for heritage among the younger generation. In the development of cultural tourism, Thanh Chiem should be identified as an attractive destination on the Hoi An - Thanh Chiem - My Son route, while also expanding connections from the west, linking it with the former Duy Xuyen District – where the tombs of the first Quang Nam governors are located.

The stele commemorating the Thanh Chiêm garrison was erected in Điện Bàn ward.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Encourage U.S. businesses to expand investment in high-tech sectors.Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said that Vietnam welcomes US businesses to continue expanding their operations in Vietnam, especially in high-tech industries and sectors with high added value.

Vietnam and the United States strengthen cooperation in addressing the consequences of war.VTV.vn - On June 22, General Secretary and President To Lam received Acting Secretary of the US Navy Hung Cao.

Approaching from the perspective of the power structure during the Nguyen Dynasty, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, Director of the Central Vietnam Branch of the Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism, used an interdisciplinary approach, comparing historical sources, Western records, and archaeological findings to identify the characteristics of administrative architecture, as a basis for reconstructing the floor plan and creating a 3D model of the Thanh Chiem Citadel.

From an architectural and planning perspective, artist Nguyen Thuong Hy proposed the initial restoration of a typical building in the style of a traditional wooden house from Quang Nam province, while architect Duong Van Viet envisioned Thanh Chiem as a comprehensive heritage ecosystem, linking preservation with urban development and honoring the value of the formation of the Vietnamese Quốc ngữ script.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phac-thao-cong-vien-dinh-tran-thanh-chiem-185260131213553143.htm