From Hanoi's Imperial Citadel of Thang Long to Hue's Citadel

From Citadel to Citadel

     One of the very first things on my check list when I arrived in Hanoi was a visit to the citadel.  The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was, in fact, very close to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, and I walked by its gates and walls several times before it dawned on me that this was the citadel.  This citadel was built in the 11th century in the same spot as a Chinese fortress that had been built in the 7th century.  And no, Mr. Schneider, I was NOT alive then! It remained the center of political power for almost 13 centuries and was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 2010.  In 1810 the Nguyen Dynasty moved the center of power to Hue and built a citadel there.

     Much of this citadel was in disrepair already by the 19th century, and what wasn't was further damaged and torn down when the French occupied Vietnam in the 19th century.  Still standing, however, are the North Gate, the Doan Mon Gate, the flag tower, and the princess' palace.

     Today, just across the road from the citadel, is an archaeological dig of those lost palaces and gates. The usefulness of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was not over, however. General Giap and the North Vietnamese military used this citadel, complete with an underground bunker and connecting tunnels from 1954 to 1975. 

     It made sense to me to follow the path of the royal citadel to Hue, so that was now on my check list for a "must see" in Hue. The Imperial Citadel was hard to miss in Hue as it is located along the Perfume River. Hue was the capital city of Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945.  The Imperial Citadel of Hue was placed on the Unesco World Heritage list in 1993. It covers 520 hectares, or 1334 acres. (I think- it's math what more can I say?)  The building took a total of 27 years.

While much of the citadel was damaged in the Vietnam War (or the American War), much has been rebuilt or refurbished. 

  Now we have visited two of the seven Vietnamese World Heritage sites.  We aren't finished, so stay tuned.