Introduction

The Mac Dynasty Fortress is a Vietnamese feudal military architecture built in the late 16th century. Thanks to its rugged location and solid walls, this solid defense building was used in many wars. Today, it has been restored and has become an attractive destination for history lovers. Let's take a look through this ancient construction with Asia King Travel!

The Mac Dynasty Fortress Relic

The Mac Dynasty Fortress Relic (Source: Antamtour)

Location

The Citadel of the Mac Dynasty relic is situated in Tam Thanh Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son Province, Vietnam. This ancient military structure is located in a quite important position with its back against 3 mountains. Each wall was solidly built, rising high to surround a flat, empty land of thousands of square meters.

How to get there

The Mac Dynasty Fortress is about 150km from Hanoi. The total distance is 160 km, suitable for various travel options.

Book a car: You can book a limousine or a taxi with reasonable prices (VND 200,000 - VND 500,000) via their official websites or phone number. This trip will take an average of 2 hours.
Travel on your own: If you prefer self-travel, traveling by a rented car or motorcycle is totally fine. Just note that your driver's license needs to be valid in Vietnam. Motorcycles will follow the National Highway 01, while cars can either take that route or follow the Expressway 01 (CT01).

Traveling to Lang Son by train is a good option

Traveling to Lang Son by train is a good option (Source: CafeF)

Travel by train: This option is great for those who want to observe the beauty of Vietnam while traveling. You can take the train from Gia Lam Station to Lang Son Station for more than 4 hours. The price varies from VND 68,000 to VND 134,000, depending on your seat.

You may like: Bac Son Tour 2 days: Lang Son's District Discovery

Best time to visit

Due to its location, Lang Son’s average temperature is around 17-22 degrees Celsius. During the coldest days in winter, the temperature can go below 0 degrees. This makes the experience uncomfortable and enhances the chance of getting a cold for tourists.

Therefore, we recommend visiting the Mac Dynasty Fortress in summer and fall. During this time, the weather is mild, cool, and ideal for outside activities. You can freely explore the relic without worrying about the harsh weather or unexpected health problems.

Summer and fall are ideal times to visit the fortress

Summer and fall are ideal times to visit the fortress (Source: Tico Travel)

History of the Mac Dynasty Fortress

According to the historical documents, the Mac Dynasty is one of the 2 dynasties that existed in parallel in the period of the Southern-Northern dynasties. After being defeated by its counterpart (Hau Le Dynasty in the south), the Mac dynasty ended its official reign of 66 years (1527-1592).

The Mac Dynasty Fortress in Lang Son is one of the few remaining relics of the old dynasty. It was constructed in the late 16th century by a royal member, Mac Kinh Cung, to protect the royal family and against the attack of the southern army led by Trinh Tung. This citadel was designed based on the natural terrain to guard the only road through Lang Son to China.

The remaining walls surround the citadel

The remaining walls surround the citadel (Source: Crystal Bay)

In 1962, the Mac Dynasty Fortress became a part of the Tam Thanh Scenic Relic Area. This complex includes Tam Thanh Pagoda, To Thi Mountain, and the Citadel of the Mac Dynasty, which was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Heritage.

Architecture

The construction lies among the 3 signature mountains: To Thi, Lo Cot, and Mac Kinh Cung. Unfortunately, although having an important historical value, the relic cannot maintain many features as in its golden days.

Today, the Mac Dynasty Fortress remains two sections of the citadel walls built of stone with a total length of 300 meters. Both of the walls contain loopholes, gates for defending, and entrances. The materials used to bind the large blocks of stone together are molasses and honey.

Tourists can have a whole view of Lang Son from the top of the relic

Tourists can have a whole view of Lang Son from the top of the relic (Source: Tour Du Lich)

Due to its high location, you can easily take a panoramic view of Lang Son when standing from the top of the construction. The original fortress did not include a staircase, but a staircase consisting of more than 100 steps was built later during the repair process for sightseeing purposes.

Travel tip

Packing tip: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Sneakers and soft shoes are suggested to easily move on the rugged, slippery terrain of the citadel.
Safety tip: Check the weather forecast in advance to avoid rain or fog. Choose safe photo angles, and do not move beyond the edge of the mountain to avoid danger.

Conclusion

The Mac Dynasty Citadel is a must-visit place for those who love ancient values and want to learn more about Vietnam’s history. Its ruins offer a glimpse of the Vietnamese past dynasty and serve as a perfect spot for sightseeing. Are you ready to explore this relic and more stories behind it? Contact Asia King Travel now to plan your trip to wonderful lands!