{"id":4678,"date":"2026-08-18T09:26:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T09:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/?p=4678"},"modified":"2026-08-18T09:26:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T09:26:26","slug":"bac-mon-a-witness-to-the-history-of-thang-long","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/bac-mon-a-witness-to-the-history-of-thang-long\/","title":{"rendered":"B\u1eafc M\u00f4n \u2013 A witness to the history of Th\u0103ng Long"},"content":{"rendered":"

B\u1eafc M\u00f4n (Northern Gate) \u2013 The Only Surviving City Gate of Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty Hanoi<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Standing amid the old trees along Phan \u0110\u00ecnh Ph\u00f9ng Street, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n (Northern Gate) has survived for more than two centuries as a remarkable witness to the history of Th\u0103ng Long\u2013Hanoi. It is the only surviving city gate of Hanoi\u2019s Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty citadel, and one of the most significant monuments within the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2010.<\/p>\n

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Beyond its architectural and military significance, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is closely associated with the battles to defend Hanoi against French colonial forces in the late 19th century. The gate preserves visible traces of those battles and is also a memorial site dedicated to two heroic governors of Hanoi, Nguy\u1ec5n Tri Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng and Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u.<\/p>\n

Today, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is an important stop for visitors exploring the Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long, offering a glimpse into the history, architecture and indomitable spirit of Hanoi.<\/p>\n

Where is B\u1eafc M\u00f4n located?<\/h4>\n

B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is located on Phan \u0110\u00ecnh Ph\u00f9ng Street, in Ba \u0110\u00ecnh District, Hanoi.\u00a0It was the northern gate of the Hanoi Citadel under the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty and served as an important entrance and defensive position on the northern side of the citadel.<\/p>\n

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Within the historical layout of the Imperial Citadel, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n lies beyond H\u1eadu L\u00e2u, along the extended central axis connecting Hanoi Flag Tower, \u0110oan M\u00f4n and K\u00ednh Thi\u00ean Palace.\u00a0Although the surrounding urban landscape has changed considerably, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n remains in its original location within the former citadel, providing valuable evidence of the defensive system of early 19th-century Hanoi.<\/p>\n

History of B\u1eafc M\u00f4n<\/h4>\n

After the reunification of Vietnam, Emperor Gia Long ordered the construction of the Hanoi Citadel in 1805, following the Vauban-style military fortification system then popular in Europe. B\u1eafc M\u00f4n was built on the foundations of the northern gate of the former Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long under the L\u00ea Dynasty.<\/p>\n

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Unlike many other structures that were demolished during the French colonial period, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n fortunately survived largely intact. It therefore represents a particularly valuable monument for the study of Vietnamese history and military architecture.<\/p>\n

Archaeological evidence beneath the present-day gate has also revealed layers of earlier structures dating back to previous dynasties, including the L\u00fd, Tr\u1ea7n and L\u00ea periods. These remains demonstrate the continuity of the political and cultural center of Th\u0103ng Long for more than a thousand years.<\/p>\n

The distinctive architecture of B\u1eafc M\u00f4n<\/h4>\n

B\u1eafc M\u00f4n was designed as a gate pavilion (v\u1ecdng l\u00e2u), consisting of two principal sections: the fortified gate below and a watchtower above.\u00a0The structure is approximately 8.71 meters high, 17.08 meters wide, with walls nearly 2.5 meters thick. The massive structure was built primarily of brick and stone.<\/p>\n

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Large stone blocks were used for the foundations, while the walls were constructed with large traditional bricks. The gateway features a vaulted arch, built using an alternating arrangement of horizontally and vertically laid bricks, creating a highly durable load-bearing structure.<\/p>\n

Above the gate is a stone plaque engraved with three Chinese characters, \u201cCh\u00ednh B\u1eafc M\u00f4n\u201d (\u6b63\u5317\u9580), meaning \u201cNorthern Gate,\u201d framed by decorative floral motifs.<\/p>\n

The watchtower above B\u1eafc M\u00f4n<\/h4>\n

One of the most distinctive features of B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is the watchtower rising above the city gate.\u00a0The upper structure was built with a wooden frame in the double-roof, eight-roof style, covered with traditional Vietnamese tiles and fitted with openings on all four sides.<\/p>\n

From the watchtower, soldiers and guards could survey the areas both inside and outside the citadel, allowing them to detect movements or approaching enemy forces.<\/p>\n

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Because of its strategic vantage point, the French military continued to use B\u1eafc M\u00f4n as a watch post after taking control of Hanoi.<\/p>\n

Today, part of the watchtower has been reconstructed, helping visitors better understand the original appearance and function of the historic structure.<\/p>\n

Traces of the battles to defend Hanoi<\/h4>\n

B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is not merely an architectural monument; it is also a tangible witness to the battles fought to defend Hanoi against French colonial forces.<\/p>\n

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On the outer wall of the gate, visitors can still see two cannonball impact marks. These are believed to have been caused by French artillery during the attack on the Hanoi Citadel in 1882, when French forces launched an assault from the Red River.<\/p>\n

These marks remain powerful physical evidence of a turbulent period in Vietnamese history, while also recalling the courage and determination of those who defended the city.<\/p>\n

A memorial to two heroic governors of Hanoi<\/h4>\n

Inside B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is a memorial space dedicated to two governors of Hanoi:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Nguy\u1ec5n Tri Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng \u2013 the military commander who led Vietnamese forces in defending the Hanoi Citadel during the French attack of 1873.<\/li>\n
  • Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u \u2013 the governor of Hanoi who took his own life in 1882 after the citadel fell, choosing death rather than surrender.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Today, local residents and visitors regularly come to B\u1eafc M\u00f4n to pay their respects to the two patriotic figures and commemorate their sacrifices for the country.<\/p>\n

    Two major streets flanking the former citadel are also named after Nguy\u1ec5n Tri Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng and Ho\u00e0ng Di\u1ec7u, serving as a lasting tribute from Hanoi to these historic figures.<\/p>\n

    Archaeological discoveries at B\u1eafc M\u00f4n<\/h4>\n

    B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is significant not only for its architecture but also for its archaeological value.<\/p>\n

    In 1998, archaeological excavations around B\u1eafc M\u00f4n uncovered numerous architectural remains at depths of approximately 1.6 to more than 2 meters below the present ground level.<\/p>\n

    Among the discoveries were sections of walls constructed from stone and large bricks dating to the L\u00ea period. These remains demonstrate that beneath the Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty structures lie successive archaeological layers belonging to earlier periods.<\/p>\n

    Such discoveries provide further evidence of the remarkable continuity of the Th\u0103ng Long imperial center throughout more than 1,300 years of history.<\/p>\n

    B\u1eafc M\u00f4n on the Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long visitor route<\/h4>\n

    Today, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n is an important attraction within the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long.<\/p>\n

    After visiting Hanoi Flag Tower, \u0110oan M\u00f4n, K\u00ednh Thi\u00ean Palace and H\u1eadu L\u00e2u, visitors can continue to B\u1eafc M\u00f4n to explore the defensive system of the Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty Hanoi Citadel and learn about the historical events associated with the resistance against French colonial forces.<\/p>\n

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    Standing on the watchtower, visitors can gain a better sense of the scale of the former Hanoi Citadel and appreciate the strategic importance of B\u1eafc M\u00f4n within its defensive system.<\/p>\n

    The historical and cultural significance of B\u1eafc M\u00f4n<\/h4>\n

    After more than two centuries, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n continues to stand proudly in the heart of Hanoi as a symbol of resilience and patriotism.<\/p>\n

    It is not only the only surviving city gate of the Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty Hanoi Citadel, but also a valuable repository of military, architectural and archaeological heritage.<\/p>\n

    Every brick, every cannonball mark on its walls and every step leading to the watchtower tells a story of a turbulent yet heroic chapter in Vietnam\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

    Together with other surviving monuments and archaeological remains, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n contributes to the outstanding universal value of the Imperial Citadel of Th\u0103ng Long \u2013 Hanoi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, helping preserve the historical memory of Th\u0103ng Long\u2013Hanoi for future generations.<\/p>\n

    NTT<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    B\u1eafc M\u00f4n (Northern Gate) \u2013 The Only Surviving City Gate of Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty Hanoi Standing amid the old trees along Phan \u0110\u00ecnh Ph\u00f9ng Street, B\u1eafc M\u00f4n (Northern Gate) has survived for more than two centuries as a remarkable witness to the history of Th\u0103ng Long\u2013Hanoi. It is the only surviving city gate of Hanoi\u2019s Nguy\u1ec5n-Dynasty citadel, …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,24,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-imperial-citadel-of-thang-long","category-relics","category-slider"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4678\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hoangthanhthanglong.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}