VietNamNet Bridge - Located in Dong Xuan ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, O Quan Chuong is the only remaining gate of the ancient Thang Long citadel.


According to historical records, this gate was built in the 10th year of Canh Hung Dynasty (1749), called Dong Ha Mon (Dong Ha gate orthe gate of Dong Ha ward). 






This work was restored twice, in 1804 and 1817, under the reign of King Gia Long. The current architecture is the result of the first repair in 1804.






O Quan Chuong was designed as a vong lau - a typical architecture of the Nguyen dynasty, with the front facing O Quan Chuong Street and the back looking to Hang Chieu Street.





The gate has 2 storeys. The first storey has three doors: a door in the middle of 3m high and 3m wide, and two side doors of about 1.65m wide, 2.5m high. 














There is a watchtower upstairs.







On the front, there is a rectangular frame with three embossed Chinese characters meaning "Dong Ha Gate".












On the left of the main door is a stone stele made by Hanoi Mayor Hoang Dieu in 1881.






The materials used to build the gate are large-sized bricks and stones, which are similar to materials used to build the Temple of Literature.








The gate is called Quan Chuong Gate to commemorate the merit and sacrifice of a general who joined about 100 soldiers of the Nguyen Dynasty to fight French troops when they attacked Hanoi citadel for the first time (1873) through the gate of Dong Ha.







According to historical records, in the reign of King Le Hien Tong (1740 -1786), Thang Long royal citadel had 16 gates. In the 20th century, only five gates were mentioned: O Cau Giay, O Cau Den, O Cho Dua, O Dong Mac and O Quan Chuong.



















In the French colonial period, four of the five gates were destroyed, leaving only O Quan Chuong. 
Photo: Kien Thuc


Pha Le