Dong Hoi Citadel – a renown historical site in Quang Binh
Dong Hoi citadel -a famous construction built by Nguyen dynasty
Be located in the center of Dong Hoi city, along Nhat Le river in Quang Binh province, Dong Hoi citadel held an important position in many historical periods of Vietnam in general and in Quang Binh in particular.It is a complex of high fences and towers, forming a fortress that protected the kings and the capital of the Nguyen dynasty in Hue
The citadel was constructed in 1812 by the King Gia Long, at the same location where the King Nguyen Phuc Nguyen built Tran Ninh Rampart and Dong Hai fortress in 1774 in a long Trinh -Nguyen cival war between the north and the south of Vietnam.It was originally an earthern fortress under Gia Long time, then when the King Minh Mang controled the country, he ordered a French engeneer to redesign and built of bricks in 1824 following the western architecture, shaping like a star.The perimeter of the citadel is 1.860m; its height is 4m. The 1.35m-wide façade faces the West. In addition, the citadel has 3 other big gates: North, South and East, which are equipped with 8-roof towers. Each gate has a well-designed bridge which connects the citadel with the outside area. In 1842, when Kinh Thien Tri was reigning, he renovated Dong Hoi citadel to consolidate its strength.
Part of Dong Hoi citadel
Dong Hoi citadel did witnessed the ups & downs of the country’s history. In 1885, when the French army attacked it, people and the soldiers of Dong Ha defended and triumphantly won the battle, making the French retreat. During the Vietnam-France war from 1945 to 1954, the local inhabitants have also made several attacks at the citadel for a long strugge against the French.
In American war, Dong Hoi was in a special position to transfer the army supplies from the north to the south ( front-line), the United States did massive bombardments to stop those supplies,consequently ruining some parts of the citadel.
The gate of Dong Hoi citadel
Nowadays, there is no more war in Vietnam, but the beautiful Dong Hoi citadel still stand vividly as a honorable symbol of the brave country, attracting visitors from many places around the country and the world.
At the moment, you can come to take photos, view the citadel and visit a local museum setting there !
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