(VOVworld)- The Ho dynasty citadel in Thanh Hoa province, a World’s Cultural Heritage site has become a popular destination for national and international tourists. Preserving this heritage and promoting its values in tourism activities have become an urgent problem.

Located 50 km in the northeast of Thanh Hoa city, Ho dynasty citadel is a unique architectural complex built in 1397 by Ho Quy Ly, the founder and the first king of the Ho dynasty in Vietnam. Situated in a magnificent landscape between the Ma and Buoi rivers in Binh Loc district, the citadel was built using large rocks and represents the development of architectural and construction techniques of Vietnamese people 6 centuries ago. The big rocks weighing tens of tones were built up to a height of more than 10 m and manually assembled into a sophisticated arch shape. At a seminar on preserving and promoting Ho dynasty citadel, the delegates stressed the need to protect the relic intact in line with the Law on Heritage and UNESCO regulations. Ho Quang Son, a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and Head of Thanh Hoa province’s Association of Cultural Heritages says that Thanh Hoa province will display artefacts excavated and collected in the citadel and from the public. Mr. Son says: “It is a great honor for Thanh Hoa to have a World Cultural Heritage site. Therefore, the provincial People’s Committee, relevant agencies and investors have designed several programs to preserve and promote the Ho dynasty citadel to domestic and foreign tourists”.

Doan Van Phu, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism says that his Department is working on a plan to preserve the Ho dynasty citadel and upgrade the infrastructure to connect the relic with other ancient citadels. Pham Van Chay, former Chairman of Vinh Loc district’s People’s Committee says that in addition to promoting global values of the relic, it is necessary to promote tourism to improve people’s lives. “Since the Ho dynasty citadel was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site, local people have been very happy and proud. They are all aware of the importance of preservation and restoration of the relic. Many people have donated land to clear a way to the relics and build surrounding walls”, said Mr. Chay.

Do Quang Trong, Director of the Center for Preservation of Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage says that the number of visitors to the relic has tripled since it was recognized internationally. Trong says a great deal of efforts have been made for promoting the heritage site’s values to domestic and foreign tourists. According to Trong, researchers will continue studying history, culture, architecture, and archeology of the relic, analysis for the preservation and promotion of the heritage values will also be undertaken to make the relic a popular destination among domestic and foreign tourists. Mr. Trong says: “In the near future, we aim to integrate heritage values in promoting tourism and popularize the Ho dynasty citadel heritage in the community. Our center and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism are implementing several projects in line with the provincial master plan. There are many artifacts unearthed in the Ho dynasty citadel that we need to excavate. We will also restore the surrounding walls and the landscape by planting new trees”.

With the difficulties overcome to have the relic recognized, there is more hard work ahead to preserve and promote it in the community. With local authorities and people’s efforts and support from UNESCO, Ho dynasty citadel is becoming an attractive destination for tourists near and far.

Vinh Phong