Culture - Sports

Citadel of Ho Dynasty becomes popular tourist destination in VN

The Citadel of Ho Dynasty has been attracting more and more tourists since it was recognized as World Cultural Heritage site in 2011.Vuong Van Viet, Deputy Chairman of Thanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee, expressed his hope that the relic site would boost provincial tourism development in the time to come, according to the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper.

The Citadel of Ho Dynasty has been attracting more and more touristssince it was recognized as World Cultural Heritage site in 2011.VuongVan Viet, Deputy Chairman of Thanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee,expressed his hope that the relic site would boost provincial tourismdevelopment in the time to come, according to the Communist Party ofVietnam Online Newspaper.

The Citadel of Ho Dynasty is theremains of a late 14 th century castle constructed from stone blocks.Citadel of Ho Dynasty, also called Tay Do castle, is rectangular inshape. Its north-south side is 870.5m in length and its east-west sideis 88.5m in length. The castle was constructed from stone blocks, eachof which is 2x1x0.7m size on average. Except for its gates, the castleis mostly ruined.

Each year, the relic welcomes about 70,000 visitors.

“The Ho Citadel has existed for over seven centuries and experiencedthe rise and fall of Vietnamese history. It has gigantic stonearchitecture and the current relic is a small section of the original",said Do Quang Trong, Director of the Conservation Centre for the HoCitadel.

Over the past two years, the Ho Citadel hasgradually revealed more valuable historical items. Notably, the basicbut quite comprehensive architecture of Nam Giao Esplanade has beenunearthed in an area of over one thousand square metres. The researchersclaimed the esplanade is presently the most intact in Vietnam witha series of vestiges such as the Than Dao Road and the King’s well,drainage system. Based on the unearthed vestiges, Thanh Hoa province hasreconstructed the large-scale Nam Giao esplanade.

Archaeologistshave unearthed the Hoang Gia (Royal) road (also known as Hoe Nhai road)at the southern gate of the citadel with a unique structure. So far,Hoang Gia road has existed intact with a length of about 2km. Inaddition, the discovery and research of ancient stone exploitation workin An Ton Mountain in Vinh Yen commune and Xuan Dai Mountain inVinh Ninh commune have special importance in clarifying doubts of theorigin of the materials exploited and used to build the Ho citadel.

To attract tourists, local authority has offered folk art performances near the southern gate of the Ho citadel.

DoQuang Trong, Director of the Conservation Centre for Ho Citadel saidthat to welcome visitors throughout the year, his centre is encouraginglocal people to provide services for tourists ranging from transport bybuffalo and ox cart, trams, to folk art performances and local cuisine.

Inthe coming time, Thanh Hoa province will focus on building some keytours such as Sam Son - Ho Citadel; Cam Luong Fish Stream – Ho Citadel,according to Vice chairman Vuong Van Viet.

The National TourismYear 2015 which will be held in Thanh Hoa province will also offer agreat opportunity for the castle to welcome more tourists ./.

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