Located peacefully amidst the charming scenery of Thanh Hoa, Ho Citadel has long become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. With unique stone architecture, along with a rich history and unique cultural values, this work is an eloquent testament to the ingenious construction techniques of the ancient Vietnamese people. Not simply a historical relic, the Ho Dynasty Citadel also offers visitors rich cultural experiences and the opportunity to learn more deeply about a special historical period. Because of these unique and meaningful features, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is increasingly becoming a destination not to be missed in the journey to discover Vietnamese heritage.
Overview of Ho Citadel
Overview of Ho Citadel
The Ho Citadel is located in Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, and is a massive architectural work built in the late 14th century under the Ho dynasty. The location of the citadel was chosen very cleverly, located in the middle of majestic natural scenery with surrounding mountains and an abundant river system. This was not only a convenient place for defense against invasions from the North, but also an important trading point in Central Vietnam at that time. With this advantage, the Ho Citadel became an economic and military center with an important role, connecting large lands and protecting the borders of Dai Viet during a turbulent period of history.
Today, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is a famous destination for domestic and international tourists. Tourists are not only attracted by the massive and unique architecture with large blocks of stone meticulously stacked on top of each other, but also by the harmonious natural scenery, creating a harmonious space between past and present.
The Ho Dynasty Citadel was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 2011, marking an 11-year journey after its submission to become one of Vietnam's important historical and cultural symbols. This title not only affirms the great value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel in terms of culture, history and architecture, but also helps enhance the image of this heritage in the eyes of international friends, making it a source of pride for Vietnamese people. Thanh Hoa people in particular and the whole country in general.
The Ho Dynasty citadel has gone through many historical periods with many different names such as An Ton, Tay Do, Tay Kinh, Thach Thanh and Tay Giai. These names not only reflect changes in the citadel's functions, but are also associated with its special geographical location and historical role. Through each period, the citadel takes on a new name, each name is associated with the ups and downs and important events of the nation.
Opening hours and ticket prices to visit Ho Dynasty Citadel
Opening hours and ticket prices to visit Ho Citadel
The Ho Dynasty Citadel, a famous world cultural heritage in Thanh Hoa, is open every day to welcome tourists from all over to visit and explore. For the convenience of visitors, opening hours are arranged according to the season of the year: summer is open from 7:00 to 17:30, winter is from 7:00 to 17:00.
Regarding tour ticket prices, Ho Citadel is known for its affordable prices, suitable for all types of visitors. Sightseeing tickets for adults cost 40,000 VND, while children from 7 to 12 years old only need to pay 20,000 VND for one visit. In particular, children under 7 years old get free tickets, to encourage families to bring their children to visit, learn and explore the cultural and historical value of this special heritage.
History of Ho Citadel
History of Ho Citadel
The Ho Citadel is a solid and majestic structure, built in 1397 under the command of Ho Quy Ly, who was in the highest position in the Tran Dynasty. Built in Tay Do, in present-day Thanh Hoa Province, the citadel had profound strategic significance in the turbulent historical context of the late 14th century. At this time, Ho Quy Ly was preparing to establish a new dynasty - the Ho Dynasty, to replace the weakened Tran Dynasty. The construction of the Ho Citadel not only meant the location of the new capital, but also demonstrated Ho Quy Ly's intention to consolidate power and prepare for the transfer of power from the Tran Dynasty to the Ho Dynasty. During the construction of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, Ho Quy Ly held the role of Prime Minister, directly controlling all activities in the court and construction works. Under his direction, Do Tinh, Minister of Personnel, was assigned the task of organizing and supervising this massive project. Remarkably, the Ho Dynasty Citadel was completed in just three months, from spring to summer 1397 – an incredible construction speed given the limited tools and construction techniques at the time. After the main citadel was completed, auxiliary structures such as La Thanh and Nam Giao Altar continued to be built and were completed in 1402.
In 1400, the Ho Dynasty was officially established, with Ho Quy Ly ascending the throne. The Ho Dynasty Citadel was now considered the political center of the new dynasty, becoming the capital with the name Tay Do, while Thang Long Citadel (present-day Hanoi) was renamed Dong Do, acting as a second administrative center of the dynasty. The Ho Dynasty Citadel quickly became the symbol of the Ho Dynasty, concentrating all important political, economic and military power and activities.
However, the Ho Dynasty lasted for a short time. By 1407, under strong pressure from the Ming army, the Ho Dynasty was defeated, leading to the collapse of the dynasty. The Ho Dynasty Citadel, once the center of power and pride of this dynasty, has left its mark on history as a testament to a turbulent period in Vietnamese history.
Read more: Tomb Tu Duc: An enchanting sanctuary of the Nguyen Dynasty
Structure and architecture of the Ho Citadel
Structure and architecture of the Ho Citadel
The Ho Dynasty Citadel is a unique and solid defensive structure with a structure imbued with military architecture and ancient culture. Built in a square shape, each side of the citadel is 800 meters long, creating a total circumference of about 3.5 km. Designed as a "citadel within a citadel" with stone walls on the outside combined with soil on the inside, the building becomes solid, resistant to erosion and easily recovers after attacks.
Architectural details of Ho Dynasty Citadel
- Inner Citadel: The center of the Ho Dynasty Citadel is a rectangular inner citadel with four main gates facing East, West, South and North. The architecture of the citadel gate is built in the style of a curved dome, bringing a majestic and durable beauty. Of which, the South gate is the main gate, the largest and most beautiful, with three entrances, over 10m high and 34m long. These gates are built with large stone slabs stacked naturally without the use of glue, each stone slab weighs from 10 to 26 tons, demonstrating the unique construction techniques and talent of the ancient Vietnamese people.
- Citadel moat: Surrounding the citadel is a moat about 90 meters wide, with a bottom 52 meters wide and a depth of up to 6.5 meters. This trench is paved with crushed stone and crushed stone below to increase durability, acting as an additional layer of protection for the wall, preventing attacks and ensuring a natural drainage system during the rainy season.
- La Thanh: Built based on the natural terrain of the area, La Thanh has a height of 6 meters and a width of about 9.2 meters, creating a steep slope on the outside and a gentle slope on the inside. This section of the wall is reinforced with layers of gravel to increase its durability and resistance to harsh weather, especially during flood season.
- Nam Giao Altar: To the south of the citadel is the Nam Giao Altar, a sacred space of 155.5 hectares, where the royal court held important ceremonies to pray for peace and good weather for the country. The altar consists of three surrounding walls, with a central floor 21.7 meters high, creating a solemn and majestic space for ritual ceremonies.
Overall, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is a unique architectural symbol, demonstrating the harmony between construction techniques and the ability to exploit natural terrain. Not only is it a solid fortress, the Ho Dynasty Citadel also contains profound cultural and spiritual values, reflecting the quintessence of medieval Vietnamese architecture.
The right time to visit the Ho Dynasty Citadel
The right time to visit the Ho Citadel
Ho Citadel is an ideal destination for tourists who love to explore heritage and admire the ancient beauty blending with nature. The best time to visit Ho Dynasty Citadel is at the beginning of the year, when local traditional festivals take place. The beginning of the year is the season of spring festivals in Thanh Hoa, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere, experience unique cultural activities, sacred rituals, and traditional folk games, bringing a vivid picture of the local culture. However, Ho Citadel is always ready to welcome visitors all year round. Each season here brings its own nuances, helping visitors discover the different beauty of the ancient citadel and the surrounding natural landscape. In spring, the trees are green, the air is fresh, starting the way for leisurely walks around the citadel. Summer brings bright sunshine, highlighting the colors of the ancient stone slabs, attracting those who love photography. Autumn with its cool, clear air is the ideal time to feel the peace and ancient beauty, while winter brings a quiet space, helping visitors contemplate the majesty and silence of the ancient citadel.
Historical and cultural value of Ho Citadel
Historical and cultural value of Ho Dynasty Citadel
The Ho Dynasty Citadel is not only a monumental architectural work but also carries important historical and cultural values of the Vietnamese people. Historically, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is a special symbol of the period of power transfer between two great dynasties of Vietnam - the Tran Dynasty and the Ho Dynasty. Built under the command of Ho Quy Ly, the Ho Dynasty Citadel served as the capital of the new dynasty and marked Ho Quy Ly's efforts in consolidating power and protecting the country from threats from the North. Built with the goal of defending and protecting the country, the citadel demonstrated a strong will in preparing for resistance wars against foreign invaders, while also reflecting the military strategy of the medieval period. In terms of cultural and architectural value, the Ho Dynasty Citadel is a symbol of the creativity and outstanding construction techniques of the ancient Vietnamese people. The massive stone slabs were precisely stacked without the use of adhesives, demonstrating advanced construction techniques at the time. A rare work in ancient Vietnamese architecture, the Ho Dynasty Citadel contributes significantly to the cultural and architectural diversity of the region, representing a unique and creative style, different from many other ancient citadel architectures in Southeast Asia. The Ho Dynasty Citadel also has great value in terms of research and archaeology. It is a valuable source of information for researchers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the history, military strategy and construction techniques of the Vietnamese people in the medieval period. The structure and layout of the citadel provide a clear view of how the military was organized and the defense system was effective, contributing significantly to the research and restoration of ancient construction techniques, opening up new knowledge for the field of archaeology.
Read more: Van Linh Pagoda - A spiritual oasis on Cam Mountain
What's unique about exploring the Ho Dynasty Citadel?
The Ho Dynasty Citadel, an ancient structure in Thanh Hoa province, is one of the world cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, attracting tourists with its unique architecture, rich history and profound cultural values. Every corner here recalls a turbulent period of Vietnamese history and demonstrates the construction skills of the ancients.
Admire the stone architecture
Admire the stone architecture
The most prominent highlight of the Ho Citadel is its sturdy stone architecture and absolutely no use of adhesives. Large blocks of stone, weighing tens of tons, are skillfully stacked on top of each other to create sturdy city walls, and the city gates remain steadfast against the test of time. These solid walls are not only a testament to unique construction techniques but also demonstrate the creativity and perseverance of ancient Vietnamese people.
Learn about the history and heritage of the Ho Dynasty
At the Ho Dynasty Citadel, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the history of the short but influential Ho Dynasty. Ho Quy Ly, the founder of the Ho Dynasty, was famous for his bold reforms in the social and economic fields to stabilize the country and develop the economy. His reforms in a turbulent context contributed significantly to the development of Vietnam at that time, leaving a bold mark in the flow of history.
Explore unique stone construction techniques
More than simply stacking stone blocks, the construction technique of the Ho Dynasty Citadel demonstrates the outstanding technical level of the ancient Vietnamese people. After more than 600 years, the city walls, main gate and stone architectural parts have remained intact and stood firm against many challenges of nature, a rare thing for ancient buildings. This is a clear testament to the development of construction techniques of our ancestors, leaving behind a priceless legacy for future generations.
Participate in cultural and tourist activities
In addition to visiting relics, visitors also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in cultural activities rich in identity at the Ho Dynasty Citadel and surrounding areas. Song Temple Festival and Cau Ngu Festival at the beginning of the year are major cultural events that attract many people and tourists from all over, bringing memorable experiences about traditional Vietnamese culture. Thanh Hoa is also famous for specialties such as spring rolls, banh cuon, shrimp rolls - typical flavors that contribute to enriching the experience of tourists when exploring this place.
Closing the journey to explore the Ho Dynasty Citadel, international tourists can not only admire a magnificent architectural work, but also deeply feel the history and culture of Vietnam. Through tours of Sinhcafe, Ho Citadel appears with vivid stories, evoking national pride and bringing meaningful experiences to each person. With knowledge and professional service, Sinhcafe is always ready to accompany tourists on every path to discover Vietnamese heritage. Let's join Sinhcafe to open new journeys, continue to preserve and spread the unique cultural values of our homeland.