Known as Tay Do (Western Capital), Ho Dynasty Citadel in Vinh Loc District, Thanh Hoa province, 150km far from Ha Noi, was built in 1397 (the 14th-century).   

The construction of the citadel was supervised by a top Tran Dynasty mandarin, Ho Quy Ly, who later took the throne in 1400 and moved the capital from Thang Long to the citadel.

Ho Dynasty Citadel is rectangular in shape (measuring 870m by 833m) and has four arched gates facing east, west north and south.

Through time, Ho Dynasty Citadel remains unchanged while most of the castle has been ruined. According to UNESCO, the citadel buildings "represent an outstanding example of a new style of South-East Asian imperial city".

Deputy chairman of Thanh Hoa People's Committee Vuong Van Viet said ‘VND22 billion (more than US$1 million) is expected to pump into the restoration of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. The project will be implemented immediately and be completed by the middle of 2012, until the citadel is officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage.’ He added ‘The site's official web http://thanhnhaho.vn will be upgraded to provide more knowledge about Viet Nam's capital under the Ho Dynasty from 1400 to 1407.’

The Heritage Conservation Centre is calling for support of scientists to excavate a quarry on An Ton Mountain and surrounding relics. Mr Viet also said that stretches of national roads 45 and 217 connecting the site to the provincial centre would be repaired while more long-distance bus routes would be put in place to serve the tourists. Besides, more tours in Vietnam to the citadel are planned to be organized by Vietnam travel companies in coming time. Thanh Hoa will also carry out in-depth research projects on its heritage and surrounding relics in terms of history, culture, architecture and archaeology.

The province intended to invest much into the site so as to make the Ho Dynasty Citadel an attractive destination to promote Vietnam tourism to domestic and international tourists.

Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn