Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and Battle: All You Need to Know

History of Quang Tri Ruined Ancient Citadel: According to documents, at the beginning of Gia Long period, Quang Tri Citadel was built in Tien Kien ward (Trieu Thanh - Trieu Phong). Initially it was made of earth, in 1837 Minh Mang king rebuilt it with bricks. The citadel has a square shape, the circumference of the walls is more than 2,000 m, 4 m high, 12 m thick, surrounded by a trench system, four corners of the four fortresses jutting out.

• Location: Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 2, Quang Tri Town, Quang Tri Province
• Opening Hours: From 7.00AM to 5.00PM Every Day.
• Entrance Ticket: Free of Charge

The citadel was built in the style of Vietnam stronghold with square walls surrounded by large bricks; Adhesive by lime, molasses and some other traditonal Vietnamese additives. There are four main gates in the east, west, south and north to access to the Ruined Citadel.

In the years 1809-1945, the Nguyen Dynasty took it as a military stronghold and administrative headquarters. Since 1929, French has built a prison here and turned it into a place to detain those who have opposite political views to the French colonialists.

There were major battle here during the Vietnam War in 1968 (TET Offensive) and 1972 (81 Days of fighting in Spring & Summer from 28^th Jun to 16^th Sep, area was then called "Meat Grinder" after about 4.000 North Vietnamese Troops, 7.700 South Vietnam Troops and 20 US Troops were killed). After the citadel campaign - "1972 Spring - Summer campaign", the whole Citadel was almost flattened; only one door of the East was left in its original shape and several sections of city walls and outer ditches were covered with trenches.

In the 90s of the 20th century, the People's Committee of Quang Tri rebuilt the city to make a monument. A few sections of the wall were restored, the four main gates were rebuilt, in the center of the city was built a memorial marking 81 days and nights in 1972. The southwest corner erected a Modern house as a museum.

All roads leading to the ruins and the interior of the Old Citadel are covered with cement, except for grass. The Citadel is considered by the people in the area as "Spiritual Land" because here any inch of land has bombs and blood and bones of soldiers on both sides. Currently is the largest park in Quang Tri Town.

How to Get to Quang Tri Ancient Citadel?

From Dong Ha City, visitors move to National Highway 9B, follow Highway 9B for about 2km, then turn right on National Highway 1A, go straight on National Highway 1A for about 8.8km, then turn to Nguyen Tri Phuong Street and move another 2km you will see the Ruined Citadel.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• Vinh Moc Tunnel Information - Travel Guide to DMZ Vietnam
• La Vang Holy Land Quang Tri Vietnam: All You Need to Know
• Khe Sanh Combat Base and Battle: Things You Need to Know
• Hien Luong Bridge in Parallel 17th: Things You Need to Know
• Ben Hai River in Parallel 17th - Everything You Need to Know