VietNamNet Bridge - On January 2, the Center for Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation said that during a recent survey of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, experts discovered an ancient well in the village of Xuan Giai, in Vinh Tien commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province.

Ancient quarry to build Ho Dynasty Citadel discovered


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The well, 2m in diameter, 6m deep, is located in the center of Xuan Giai village, about 300m to the southeast of the Ho Dynasty Citadel. The well and well yard are paved of bricks, which are similar to the bricks used at the Ho Dynasty Citadel. Being abandoned for many years, the well is surrounded by weeds.

Mr. Trinh Van Hieng, 82, a local resident, said he did not know exactly when the well was built. His father just told him that the well was left from the Ho Dynasty. Hieng said that in the past, there were a lot of underground water sprays in the bottom of the well.

Mr. Pham The Vinh, 90, said that in 1946-1947, the well yard was re-paved by locals. They took bricks from the Ho Dynasty Citadel to pave the yard. These bricks are 50cm long, 25cm wide, 9cm high.

Although they are more than 600 years old, most of the bricks still keep the fresh pink color. On the surface of many bricks, there are Chinese scripts noting the place of origin, such as Dai An, Ke Nua and Ke Loi (of Tho Xuan district at present).

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Toan, deputy director of the Center for Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation, said the center would continue researching the origin of the well. Thanh Hoa province will ask for the recognition of the heritage complex (the communal house and the ancient well) in Xuan Giai village as national heritage.

"The discovery of the ancient well contributes significantly to research, preserve and promote the heritage values of the Ho Dynasty Citadel and the research of ancient villages in the heritage area, according to the recommendations of the UNESCO,” Toan said.

The Ho Dynasty Citadel is located on the two communes of Vinh Tien and Vinh Long, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province. This is a unique stone-made architectural work in Vietnam.

Being built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397, this citadel is also known as Tay Do to distinguish from Dong Do (Thang Long - Ha Noi). After the citadel was completed, Ho Quy Ly moved the capital from Thang Long to Tay Do.

For more than 600 years of existence, most of the buildings inside the Citadel were destroyed. The traces of the foundations of the old palaces still lie hidden under the rice fields.

On 27.06.2011, at the 35th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris (France), the citadel was recognized as the world's cultural heritage.

Compiled by P. Linh