The flag tower inside the citadel (Photo: nhandan.vn) The site marks its 200 years of existence this year, withan official celebration slated for November 12 in a bid to raise the publicawareness on heritage protection and preservation and stimulate tourism demand.
According to historical documents, Son Tay Citadel was builtin 1822 during the reign of Minh Mang Emperor (1791-1841) under the NguyenDynasty. It was built entirely of laterite, a material that meets the requirements of a defensive building and was available in the locality.
Following the style of France's Vauban architecture, eachside of the square citadel was about 400m long and 5m high. The citadel hadfour gates facing east, west, south and north, called the Front (Tien), theBack (Hau), the Right (Huu) and the Left (Ta). Each entrance had a guard tower.
Many great events related to the Nguyen’s fighting againstFrench colonialism in Vietnamese history took place in the citadel, reflectingits critical significance in guarding the northern plains and midlands andbacking the Northwest border.
After nearly 200 years and with much devastation, only a few relics are left, including an octagonal 18-meter-high flag tower, some stretches of the citadel walls, the citadel gates, guard towers, Kinh Thien's Palace platform, two cannons and someruins at Vong Lau, the foundation of Kinh Thien palace and the wells.
Due to its important cultural, historical and uniqueconstruction techniques, the Governor General of Indochina granted it withrelic statues in 1924. It was later recognised as a national historical relic bythe Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sportsand Tourism) in 1994.
Carrying out research on Son Tay Citadel for many years,President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association Tong Trung Tin said thatthe site represents a period when ramparts were built the most in Vietnam, given thecontext of colonisation taking place all over the world. Experiencing many upsand downs, Son Tay Citadel still retains the best vestiges, demonstrating theconstruction techniques of defensive military works in the North. Meanwhile,most of the other citadels have basically lost all of their traces.
Echoing the view on the site’s value, Nguyen Huy Khanh, former Vice Chairman of Son Tay town People's Committee, said the conservation of the citadel has receivedsignificant investment from the State and the support of the local people overthe past time.
Visitors at the site (Photo: VNA) The old citadel today impresses visitors with its serenityand calm. Ancient trees give it shade all year round; lotus ponds, andgreen grass create a picturesque site.
Nguyen Thi Toan, a 70 years old resident in Son Tay town’sPhu Thinh ward, said that on weekends, the citadel is crowded withtourists. Locals’ income and living standards have been improved thanks tobusiness activities from tourism, she added.
Secretary of the Son Tay Party Committee Tran Anh Tuan saidthe locality is implementing various measures to promote the heritage,including the compiling of a dossier for it to be recognised as a specialnational relic site.
Vice Chairman of the Son Tay People’s Committee Le Dai Thangsaid a series of enticing cultural, tourism and sport events are scheduled forthe marking of the site’s 200th anniversary. Highlights among them are a photoexhibition and a hot air balloon festival./.
VNA
