The recently approved project to preserve, restore and renovate components of the citadel will require around VND300 billion from the north-central province's budget. The rest will come from the central government's budget and other sources.

The main investor of the project would be Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It is expected to last from 2022 to 2025.

Components chosen for restoration and renovation include a 9,000-square-meter archaeological exhibition site, a trench spanning 1,000 meters, internal traffic routes and other infrastructure.

Built in 1397 by Hồ Dynasty as the capital of Dai Ngu, the country’s name from 1400 to 1407, the citadel served as a military stronghold and became a symbol of patriotism and national pride.

It is unique for its construction technique, which involved the use of large blocks of stone weighing 10-26 tons that were carefully shaped, interlocked and raised up by around 10 meters.

In 2011, the citadel was recognized by the UNESCO as a world heritage.

The north wall of the citadel has been significantly damaged due to impacts from storms and heavy rain.

In October 2018 the U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink’s Fund for Cultural Preservation approved a $92,500 grant to conserve the south gate, the most important remaining structure in the citadel. The work was completed last year.

Source: e.vnexpress.net