Historic: One of the walls of the Ho Dynasty Citadel in Thanh Hoa Province. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

THANH HOA (VNS) — The Citadel of Ho Dynasty in the central Thanh Hoa Province will be preserved better following a master plan unveiled by the provincial People's Committee on Monday.

The master plan aims to preserve and embellish the citadel, which has been recognised as a World Cultural Heritage site, and build special tourism facilities based on the area.

Specifically, the master plan will involve survey and assessment of the situation of the site; study of archeological documents and the management work of tourism activities; and defining the space for preservation and development of the surrounding areas.

Spread over 5,000ha, the site has the last vestiges of the Citadel of Ho Dynasty and surrounding areas in Vinh Loc District.

Under the plan, the site will be divided into the vertical axis connecting the Citadel of Ho Dynasty and Nam Giao praying platform, and the horizontal axis connecting the Ma River and the square zone.

The province will also focus on developing tourism, particularly tours for visitors to cultural and historical sites and experiences in cultural activities and folk games.

The provincial People's Committee, relevant agencies and investors will design several programmes to promote the Citadel of Ho Dynasty to domestic and foreign tourists.

Located 50km from Thanh Hoa City, the citadel is a unique architectural complex built in 1397 by Ho Quy Ly, the founder and the first king of the Ho Dynasty in Viet Nam.

The citadel was Viet Nam's capital under the Ho Dynasty (1398-1407). It measures 870m by 883m, and is the only citadel in the country that is built entirely of stone. It has remained nearly intact throughout the nation's often turbulent history.

It was recognised as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO on June 27, 2011. According to experts, the structure represents an outstanding example of a new style of construction for a Southeast Asian imperial city.

However, a recent report revealed that local authorities and the site managers are facing several difficulties in the preservation process.

The plan is expected to help in better preservation and management of the citadel and in upholding its cultural and historical value as committed to the UNESCO.

The plan, approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in August, will be implemented during the 2015-30 period.

Funding for the project will be mobilised from the State budget, provincial budget and other sources. — VNS