Not merely an outstanding architectural work, Quang Tri ancient citadel is a witness to the history, a testament to fierce but glorious resistance of the nation. If you have the opportunity to visit Quang Tri, do not forget to visit the ancient citadel to relive that glorious but proud battle.
Someone said that when coming to Quang Tri if they have not visited the Citadel, it is considered that they have not yet set foot in this place. The ancient citadel of Quang Tri (also known as the ancient citadel of Quang Tri) is located in the center of Quang Tri town, Quang Tri province, 2km from National Highway 1A to the North, 500m from Thach Han River to the East.
Ancient city gate
The citadel has a typical architecture of a military castle with 4 protruding corners, used as a guard fort. The citadel has a circumference of 2,080m, the wall is 4.29m high, the wall base is 12.75m thick. The citadel had front, rear, left, and visible doors, built with arches and gazebo. Outside the city is a surrounding moat, inside there are architectural works such as: Palace, flagpole, patrol palace, murder court, military palace, tycoon, ty niet, barn, soldiers … 
The door built a rolling arch, above there is a gazebo, surrounded by a moat …
According to historical records, Quang Tri citadel was built in the Gia Long period, initially just a land. Until the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, it was built with bricks (in 1837), becoming the economic, political and military center of the whole province of Quang Tri. During the period from 1809 to 1945, this place was used as a military rampart and administrative headquarters for the Nguyen Dynasty. This is also the center of Quang Tri province under the French colonial period and the government of the South. 
Not a simple architectural work, but also a place marking the history of the nation’s heroic resistance
The fierce battle in 1972 was like a milestone that the citadel passed through Quang Tri town. After 81 days and nights of fire and smoke (from June 28 to September 16, 1972), with a volume of bombs to carry up to 328,000 tons, the citadel was almost flattened, only the East door remained quite intact The walls of the city wall and the outside trench system were covered with bombs and bullets. It is also said that, although it is not possible to enumerate all the number of martyrs who fell here, one thing is for sure, every inch of the ancient city is soaked in his father’s blood.
The war of Quang Tri ancient citadel in 1972
Up to now, the relics and correspondence of heroes who fought and sacrificed heroically to protect Quang Tri town are still preserved in the ancient citadel museum. And to commemorate that “fiery summer”, referring to the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, people immediately remember the spiritual land, where people who are still alive after the war or the youth can now sit together once again a heroic time, living in the heroic atmosphere left by his father.
Relics of the war are still kept here
Entering the ancient citadel is a green space, each grass displays many monuments praising the glorious sacrifice of many fallen heroes. On the carved rocks engraved with emotional poems: “Light your feet and speak quietly / Let my teammates lie down on the grass / Blue and windy Heaven of Quang Tri / Ru the song of Immortality forever” of veteran Pham Dinh Lan ancient citadel, or “Whenever Vietnam has Co Thanh / Fire wreath to connect Khe Sanh / Medal is difficult enough for each brick / Tac of soil every second per leaf” (Tran Bach Dang). ..
Monument to heroes and martyrs with an impressive 81 figure
The center of Quang Tri ancient citadel is the Monument of Martyrs and martyrs, which was simulated as a mass grave. To step up to the station, visitors need to cross 81 steps – representing 81 days and nights of fighting, reaching 8.1m high incense tree; Around there are 81 reliefs such as 81 calendar sheets recording each day of the heroic battle, starting from June 28, ending September 16, 1972.
One of the works that should not be missed during your visit to Quang Tri Citadel must be the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Museum . This is a place to display artifacts of the war, “sacred” letters sent to the hometown by soldiers, in the middle of a gallery there is a black and white photo of the Citadel in 81 days and nights destroyed by bombs and bombs.
Ancient castle museum
Before leaving the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, do not forget to look up to the West to admire the quiet bell tower in the afternoon of Quang. Visitors can listen to this bell when arriving on holidays, the full moon day echoes to honor the souls of martyrs.
The bell tower is to the west of the city
The war has receded, now visitors visiting this place are coming to a busy young urban area on the Thach Han River. But there, the national monument, especially the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, is still a place that remains a traumatic but heroic period, a source of nurturing patriotism for the young generation. And if you visit the ancient citadel, do not forget to visit the historical sites of Quang Tri such as General Secretary Le Duan memorial house, Ai Tu base airport in the American – puppet era, La Vang church, Thach Han river wharf. , at Long Quang … to have a meaningful Quang Tri trip.