The connection of the Citadel’s rampart not only provide locals and visitors new views and experiences, but also brings the connection among people, nature and heritage even closer.
A view of Hue as seen from Thuong Thanh (the Upper surface of the Citadel)
The walking route on the Citadel’s rampart upper surface, from Eo Bau Nam Xuong (inside The Nhon Gate, also known as Ngan Gate) to Eo Bau Nam Thang (inside Quang Duc Gate, also known as Sap Gate) and across Phu Van Lau flagpole, has been embellished and connected. The route will allow locals and visitors to explore and enjoy a corner of Hue Imperial City from above, which is quite new even for many locals in the Ancient Capital.
“Having been living here for nearly 60 years, this is the first time I set foot on Thuong Thanh. When touching the traces of time on the mossy walls and looking at the peaceful scenery of the city, my emotions are hard to describe in words,” shared Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan (who is living on Le Thanh Ton Street, Dong Ba Ward).
According to Ms. Nguyen Kieu Nga, a visitor from Hanoi, though this is not her first time coming to Hue, her feeling when standing on Thuong Thanh this time is completely different, with unique check-in points, as well as more novel and complete discoveries of Hue.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center shared that after embellishing Eo Bau, before the Lunar New Year of the Cat 2023, the Center had cleaned, embellished, and connected that walking route. The purpose is to facilitate locals and visitors so that they can easily get on and get off the rampart, visit the Noon Gate, and have more new experiences.
In the near future, the Center will display images of royal rituals, the emperors and mandarins of the Nguyen Dynasty, and reenactment of the patrolling guards, etc., which will make the scene more vivid and interesting. It is expected that by 2025, the walking route on Thuong Thanh will be fully connected. This connection will give locals and visitors more new and comprehensive views, as well as interesting discoveries when coming here.
“In the coming time, we will install some trash bins, and, at the same time, call on locals and visitors to raise their awareness of preserving heritage and the environment. These days, I have to go pick up trash myself," said Mr. Trung.
Following are some photos of a connected session of the walking route on Thuong Thanh:
From now on, locals and visitors can walk up to Thuong Thanh from the entrances at The Nhon Gate, and Quang Duc Gate
The connection of a section of this route provides locals and visitors more experiences
Being excited to walk on Thuong Thanh for the first time
A new check-in corner
Locals and visitors can see the holy cannons, placed on Thuong Thanh, with their own eyes
… and take a look at Phu Van Lau from above
Mossy imprints
A peaceful scene as seen from Quang Duc Gate
Checking-in beside a holy cannon
Thuong Tu Gate and The Nhon Gate as seen from Quang Duc Gate
After a section of the walking route is embellished and connected, it feels like there is no longer a separation in vision
By Han Dang
