A stone pathway connected to the southern Gate of the Ho Dynasty Citadel in central Thanh Hoa province has been unearthed below the existing road surface.

Head of the team from the Archaeology Institute Tran Anh Dung said that this beautiful stone path was built under the Ho Dynasty in the late 14th century.

“We don’t dare to compare it with other similar heritages in the world but it can be said that this is Vietnam’s most beautiful ancient stone road built under the Ho Dynasty,” Dung said.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has included the 2-km royal entry into the heritage listing, said Director of the Ho Dynasty Heritage Preservation Centre Do Quang Trong.

The Ho Dynasty Citadel was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site on June 27, 2011.

Located in the two communes of Vinh Tien and Vinh Long in Vinh Loc district, the citadel measures 870m by 883m and was built in 1397.

The citadel itself includes constructions such as the Dan Nam Giao (a platform used for offerings to the heavens), Dong Mon communal house and Tam Tong temple.

However, after several centuries, almost all of the citadel's main structures have been seriously damaged, while the wall and four main entrances are still well preserved./.