Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel
Details
Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel is located in Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province, about 10 km west of Nha Trang city center, on the right side of National Highway 1. Built in 1793 under Lord Nguyen Anh after repelling the Tay Son army, the citadel covers an area of about 36,000 m², a military architectural complex in the Vauban style popular in Europe in the 17th-18th centuries. The walls form an irregular hexagon with a perimeter of 2,693 m, about 3.5 m high, made of earth. The outer face is vertical, the inner face is sloping and built in two tiers for transport. Outside, there is a moat 3-5 m deep and 20-30 m wide. Originally, the citadel had six gates, but now only four remain: East, West, Front (south), and Rear (north). Inside, there used to be a royal palace, the Tuần Vũ office, the Án Sát office, the Lãnh Binh office, warehouses, and a prison. The citadel once served as the headquarters of the Cần Vương insurgents fighting against the French. Currently, administrative offices of Dien Khanh District, such as the Department of Education and the Police, are located within the citadel, along with a football field.
Location
Reference source
Official information and monument records:
https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A0nh_c%E1%BB%95_Di%C3%AAn_Kh%C3%A1nhHow to get there
From Nha Trang center, head west on National Highway 1 for about 10 km to Diên Khánh town, then turn onto Mã Xá street or the single road connecting the East and West gates. You can travel by motorbike, car, or bus.
Opening hours
Khu vực thành mở cửa tự do, nhưng các cơ quan hành chính bên trong chỉ hoạt động giờ hành chính.
Tickets & pricing
Highlights
- Built in 1793 under Lord Nguyen Anh, the citadel features unique Vauban architecture.
- The irregular hexagonal wall is 2,693 m in perimeter, 3.5 m high, and surrounded by a moat.
- Four gates remain: East, West, Front, and Rear.
- It once served as the headquarters of the Can Vuong resistance against the French.
- Today it houses the administrative offices of Dien Khanh District.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Where is Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel located?
Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel is located in Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province, about 10 km west of Nha Trang center, along National Highway 1.
What is the architecture of Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel like?
The citadel features Vauban-style military architecture, with a hexagonal earthen wall 3.5 m high, a perimeter of 2,693 m, surrounded by a moat, and four remaining gates.
Is it free to visit?
Currently, Dien Khanh Ancient Citadel is an administrative area with no entrance fee, but visitors can freely explore the outer area.