Admiring the Nearly 300-Year-Old Ô Quan Chưởng Gate in the Capital

(VTC News) - Ô Quan Chưởng is the only remaining city gate from old Thăng Long, bearing significant historical marks of the ancient citadel.

Ô Quan Chưởng, the last surviving city gate of Hanoi, holds deep historical significance dating back to the Thăng Long citadel. Despite enduring various historical changes and weather conditions, it has required numerous restorations over the years. As a result, the ancient moss-covered walls and old-time charm have somewhat faded.

According to historical records, Thăng Long originally had five city gates, including Ô Cầu Giấy, Ô Chợ Dừa, Ô Cầu Dền, Ô Đống Mác, and Ô Quan Chưởng. Each gate was constructed as a barrier, open during the day and closed at night, with fences and patrols to prevent theft and guard against fires.

Ô Quan Chưởng, also known as Ô Đông Hà (the gate of Đông Hà ward), was constructed in the 10th year of Cảnh Hưng (1749) during the Lê Dynasty. In the 46th year of Cảnh Hưng (1785), the gate underwent thorough renovations. During the 3rd year of Gia Long (1804), the gate was rebuilt and expanded to its current size. Ô Quan Chưởng is situated to the east of the earthen wall surrounding the Thăng Long citadel.

Ô Quan Chưởng consists of two levels, constructed in the vọng lầu style, a characteristic architectural form of the Nguyễn Dynasty. The first level comprises three doors: the central door, which is about 3 meters tall and wide, and two side doors, each approximately 1.65 meters wide and 2.5 meters tall.

A notable feature is that all three doors are designed with archways. The second level features a vọng lầu with four small roofs, positioned directly above the central door, surrounded by a balustrade decorated with hexagonal, quadrilateral, and rosette patterns.

Between the top of the main door and the vọng lầu is a rectangular frame, nearly 1 meter tall and about 3 meters wide, with the three Chinese characters "Đông Hà Môn" embossed on it.

On the left wall of the main door is a stone stele, placed by Governor Hoàng Diệu in 1881, bearing a prohibition against the guards harassing the people when passing through the gate.

The moss-covered walls and the ravages of time give Ô Quan Chưởng an ancient charm that attracts many domestic and international visitors

Historical accounts reveal that Đông Hà Môn was renamed Ô Quan Chưởng in honor of a "Chưởng cơ" (a Chief Commander - a historical title in Vietnamese culture, primarily used during the feudal era) and his troop of 100 soldiers, who bravely fought against the French forces to defend Hanoi. For those who are native to Hanoi or have lived for many years on Ô Quan Chưởng, Hàng Chiếu, or Trần Nhật Duật streets, Ô Quan Chưởng has become an inseparable part of their lives.