The Bien Hoa citadel in Dong Nai province, a heritage site and the only Nguyen Dynasty military structure and citadel left in southern Vietnam, has become so dilapidated it could collapse at any time without funding for preservation.
The Bien Hoa citadel in Dong Nai province, a heritage site and the only Nguyen Dynasty military structure and citadel left in southern Vietnam, has become so dilapidated it could collapse at any time without funding for preservation.
The 300-year-old building is historically significant for its role in the early southward thrust by the central-based Nguyen Dynasty 500 years ago and the French and American wars in the 20th century.
Originally built of earth in the 14-15th century, it was rebuilt with bricks in 1837.
The 10,816-square-meter citadel has two large buildings and two blockhouses left inside its outer walls, but all of them badly damaged.
The citadel’s walls are cracked or have collapsed, its gate has been destroyed, the rooftop has fallen into decay. Local experts said 70 percent of the outer walls and 90 percent of the interiors are damaged.
Besides natural causes, the site also faces a grave threat from people’s daily activities, with dozens of houses and shops being built right next to it.
Le Tri Dung, head of the Dong Nai Heritage Management Board, said when the citadel was recognized as a provincial historical heritage in 2008, a VND26 billion (US$ 1,2 million) plan for preservation was also approved.
But the funding has yet to be received despite requests to higher authorities, he added.
Tran Quang Toai, deputy head of the province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said his department had petitioned the people’s committee.
It had recommended that the managing board meanwhile do temporary repairs to protect it against leaks and flooding, he added.
 |
| One of the two large buildings left inside Bien Hoa citadel |
Originally built of earth in the 14-15th century, it was rebuilt with bricks in 1837.
The 10,816-square-meter citadel has two large buildings and two blockhouses left inside its outer walls, but all of them badly damaged.
The citadel’s walls are cracked or have collapsed, its gate has been destroyed, the rooftop has fallen into decay. Local experts said 70 percent of the outer walls and 90 percent of the interiors are damaged.
Besides natural causes, the site also faces a grave threat from people’s daily activities, with dozens of houses and shops being built right next to it.
Le Tri Dung, head of the Dong Nai Heritage Management Board, said when the citadel was recognized as a provincial historical heritage in 2008, a VND26 billion (US$ 1,2 million) plan for preservation was also approved.
But the funding has yet to be received despite requests to higher authorities, he added.
Tran Quang Toai, deputy head of the province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said his department had petitioned the people’s committee.
It had recommended that the managing board meanwhile do temporary repairs to protect it against leaks and flooding, he added.
(Source: Tuoitrenews)
