Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri, Vietnam

Note: All images were taken from Quang Tri Citadel a historical landmark located at Nguyên Tri Phuong, Phuòng 2, Quang Tri, 532700, Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, many ancient citadel areas in Vietnam played a critical role in the military strategy of both the North Vietnamese Army and the United States military.

These citadels served as strategic locations due to their elevated positions and defensive capabilities. On April 12th, 2023, the School of International Training Vietnam program gave the opportunity for scholars to engage more with the 19th-century fort destroyed in the Vietnam War with a memorial to many fallen soldiers and the implications on the Vietnamese environment. The aim of the visual essay is to engage people worldwide to learn more about the history of citadels and their environments and the impact they have had on the course of history. By using visual media, the essay seeks to provide a compelling and immersive experience that enables viewers to appreciate the rich cultural and historical significance of these sites.

Citadel Insights

A citadel is a fortified structure that was designed to serve as a central point of strategic military, political, and cultural power. It was typically constructed on elevated terrain to provide a strategic advantage and to enable a clear view of the surrounding landscape. It was designed to serve as a stronghold or a place of refuge during times of conflict or siege. The citadels in Vietnam were used for a variety of purposes, such as providing a secure location for government officials, military personnel, and the ruling class. They also played a significant role in controlling access to strategic locations, such as ports, waterways, and trade routes, and served as a symbol of power and authority.

Left: The liberation soldiers in co-operation with Cam Lo Militia are pulling artillery to the battlefield.

Citadels were commonly used as a means of controlling accesss to strategic locations, such as ports, waterways and trade routes. They were used as a means of asserting power and control over a particular territory to protect against invasion or rebellion. In times of peace, citadels could be used for a variety of purposes, such as housing government officials or providing a location for cultural events and celebrations.

One of the most notable citadels in Vietnam is the Old Citadel of Quang Tri, which played a significant role in the Vietnam War. It was strategically located near the demilitarized zone that separated North and South Vietnam and was the site of intense fighting between the two sides.