Citadel of Ho Dynasty

Two covers from Vietnam with the set of stamps and minisheet on a UNESCO whs site of Vietnam 🇻🇳 

Citadel of Ho Dynasty - UNESCO whs

Date of issue : 27-June -2018

Situated in a remote backwater of Thanh Hoa province, around 150 kilometers from Ha Noi to the south and 45 kilometers northwest of Thanh Hoa city, the citadel of Ho dynasty is the only stone citadel remaining in Southeast Asian. It was the capital city of Vietnam from 1398 to 1407. The Citadel was nominated as World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in June 2011.

Hi Quy Lu

This unique stonework was built for 3 months in 1937 by Ho Quy Ly who was the highest-ranking mandarin of Tran Dynasty. The Citadel of Ho Dynasty also is known as Tay Do castle. It was the political, economic and cultural center of Viet Nam from 1936 to 1407.

In the late 14th century, the Tran Dynasty was in disarray, and Ho Quy Ly laid plans to usurp the throne of King Tran Thuan Tong. In 1937, after the citadel was finished, Ho Quy Ly forced the King to move the capital from the citadel of Thang Long (Hanoi) to Thanh Hoa province. No longer after that few years, in 1400, Ho Quy Ly crowned himself  to replace King Tran and renamed the country as Dai Ngu. The Citadel of the Ho Dynasty official became the capital citadel until 1407 with the name of Tay Do castle. 

The Citadel of Ho Dynasty constructed of large limestone blocks. It is a magnificent combination of the Vietnamese architecture and the unique building techniques of Southeast Asia and Eastern Asia. This construction represents a new development of architectural technology and adaption of the geomantic city. It also states the skillful use of architectural elements in terms of space management and decoration. The complex structure demonstrates a concept of royal power and the adoption of Confucian philosophy within the predominantly Buddhist culture.

The Citadel composed of the Inner Citadel, La Thanh Outer Wall and the Nam Giao Altar (for worshipping the Heaven) covers 155.5 ha, surrounded by a buffer zone of 5078.5 ha. The Citadel is located in a landscape of great scenic beauty between the Ma and Buoi rivers in Vinh Loc district Thanh Hoa province of Viet Nam.

Thanks Do Xo Mo Manh for this beautiful cover !