Only three gates remain of Vietnam's 200-year-old Vinh Citadel

Built in 1804 under Emperor Gia Long, the fortress once housed provincial authorities and served as an important defensive stronghold. Wars and the passage of time have erased most of its original structure.

thành cổ 7.png — Vinh Citadel was built more than 200 years ago in what is now the urban center of Vinh, Nghe An Province.

More than two centuries after its construction, traces of Vinh Citadel can still be found in the heart of Vinh, in Vietnam's Nghe An Province. Construction began in 1804 under Emperor Gia Long in what was then Yen Truong canton, an area now belonging to Thanh Vinh Ward.

Besides housing the province's imperial administration, the citadel played an important defensive role. In 1831, under Emperor Minh Mang, it was rebuilt using laterite stone in the Vauban style of military fortification.

The six-sided fortress covered approximately 420,000 square meters and was surrounded by a network of moats.

Over the centuries, wars and other historical upheavals have wiped out most of the original structure. Only three gates survive: Tien Mon (Front Gate), Ta Mon (Left Gate) and Huu Mon (Right Gate). Of these, Tien Mon remains relatively intact.

The upper pavilion of Tien Mon is supported by four massive wooden pillars, each thick enough to require a person's full embrace.

About 500 meters away stands Ta Mon. Since 2021, lighting systems have been installed at the surviving gates, bringing the historic structures into focus after dark.

Huu Mon stands along Dao Tan Street. The gateway was once used as a lane for passing vehicles, but it has since been fenced off to protect the historic structure from further damage.

The citadel suffered extensive destruction during the wars against French and US forces. Its three remaining gates are now rare physical reminders of what was once a major military complex.

The site is also associated with significant moments in Vietnamese history, including visits by President Ho Chi Minh to his home province of Nghe An, where he addressed local residents on several occasions between 1957 and 1961.

In 1998, Vinh Citadel was officially designated a national historical relic. In 2004, the then-Vinh City People's Committee undertook a project to repair and restore the three surviving gates, seeking to preserve what remained of the historic fortress.

W-thành cổ 4.jpg — The original six-sided fortress covered approximately 420,000 square meters and was surrounded by a network of moats. Tien Mon is the best-preserved of the three surviving gates, with an upper pavilion resting on four massive wooden pillars.

Ta Mon stands about 500 meters from Tien Mon. Lighting installed in 2021 has made the historic gates more prominent at night.

Huu Mon is located along Dao Tan Street, where the gateway was previously used as a passage for vehicles. Protective barriers have been erected around Huu Mon to minimize further damage to the centuries-old structure.