Ho Dynasty Citadel to officially become World Heritage

A ceremony to celebrate the Ho Dynasty Citadel as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site took place in the central province of Thanh Hoa on June 16, 2025.

An art program, titled "Thanh Nha Ho – Niem Tu Hao Dat Viet" (Ho Dynasty Citadel – The Pride of Vietnam), followed the ceremony to honor the historical and cultural significance of the citadel. Various cultural activities were organized as part of the celebrations, including a traditional village market, a festival showcasing folk games from the Ly and Tran Dynasties, as well as an exhibition featuring artifacts, photographs, and articles related to the citadel and the Ho dynasty, all aimed at promoting tourism in this region.

The 14th-century Ho Dynasty Citadel, constructed according to feng shui (geomancy) principles, is situated in a landscape of exceptional natural beauty, positioned along an axis that connects Tuong Son and Don Son mountains, lying between the Ma River and the Buoi River. The structure exemplifies a distinctive new style of a Southeast Asian imperial city. It is the fifth site in Vietnam to receive recognition as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, following the Huế Monuments, Hội An Ancient Town, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, and the central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long.

The Ho Dynasty was characterized by a brief seven-year reign of two emperors: Ho Quy Ly, who ascended in 1400, and his son, Ho Han Thuong, who ruled from 1400 to 1407. Despite its brevity, the dynasty is noted for significant economic, financial, and educational reforms initiated by Ho Quy Ly. Among his noteworthy contributions was the introduction of a nationwide paper currency around 1399 or 1400, and the mandate that students must successfully pass mathematical examinations before undertaking literature tests in the imperial examination system, ensuring the selection of well-rounded scholar-bureaucrats.