Ho Dynasty Citadel to officially become World Heritage

A ceremony to grant the Ho Dynasty Citadel the status of World Cultural Heritage site will take place in the central province of Thanh Hoa on June 16.

An art program entitled Thanh Nha Ho – Niem Tu Hao Dat Viet (Ho Dynasty Citadel – the pride of Vietnam) will be held following the ceremony to honor the historical and cultural value of the citadel. A number of cultural activities will also take place to celebrate the event including a village market, a festival of Ly-Tran dynasty folk games, and a display of objects, photos and articles about the citadel and the Ho dynasty to promote tourism in the region.

The 14-century Ho Dynasty citadel, built according to the feng shui principles, was sited in landscape of great scenic beauty on an axis joining the Tuong Son and Don Son mountains in a plain between the Ma and Buoi rivers. The citadel buildings represent an outstanding example of a new style of Southeast Asian imperial city. It is the fifth attraction in Vietnam to be listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, after the complex of Huế Monuments, Hội An ancient town, Mỹ Sơn sanctuary and central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long.