Dong Hoi history

The history of Dong Hoi is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the emergence of modern administrative boundaries. For centuries, this territory has served as a crossroads of civilisations and a vital strategic point on the map of Vietnam.

Foundation and Ancient Traces

Although Dong Hoi received its modern administrative city status relatively recently, people settled these lands thousands of years ago. Archaeological data allows us to distinguish several stages of early history:

• Bau Tro Culture: Traces of a Neolithic culture (approximately 5,000 years old) have been discovered in the city's vicinity. Archaeological finds, including pottery and stone axes, testify that ancient people actively settled the coastal zone.
• Champa Period: For a long time, the region was under the influence of the Champa Kingdom, and later became a zone of active interaction and territorial disputes during the southward expansion of the Vietnamese state.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of scattered settlements into a fortified city was dictated primarily by military-political necessity and geography:

• Strategic Defence: In the 17th century, during the era of confrontation between the Trinh and Nguyen feudal lords, this area became a critically important frontier. The famous strategist Dao Duy Tu erected the Luy Thay defensive wall system here, turning the district into an impregnable outpost.
• Geography: The city grew at the estuary of the Nhat Le River. This position ensured control over waterways and access to the South China Sea, which was vital for both the navy and maritime trade.
• Construction of the Citadel: In the early 19th century, under the Nguyen Dynasty, the brick Dong Hoi Citadel was built, definitively cementing the city's status as the administrative and military centre of Quang Binh Province.

Early Culture and Economy

The economy of early Dong Hoi was inextricably linked to the sea. Local residents traditionally engaged in fishing and seafood production. Thanks to its location on the main land route connecting the north and south of the country (the Mandarin Road), the city also developed as a trading hub where goods and cultural traditions were exchanged between various regions of Vietnam.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Dong Hoi is a journey from an ancient settlement to a modern tourism centre. Below are the key dates that have shaped the city's identity.

• Around 3000 BC — The Neolithic Bau Tro culture flourishes in this area, leaving behind numerous ceramic and stone artefacts.
• 1069 — The territory of the current city officially becomes part of the Vietnamese state of Dai Viet during the Ly Dynasty.
• 1630 — Military commander Dao Duy Tu begins the construction of the grand Luy Thay defensive wall system, defining the strategic importance of the city.
• 1812 — Emperor Gia Long orders the construction of the Dong Hoi Citadel, which was originally built from earth.
• 1824 — By the decree of Emperor Minh Mang, the citadel walls are rebuilt and strengthened with durable brick.
• 1989 — Dong Hoi becomes the administrative centre of the restored Quang Binh Province, marking the start of a new era of development.
• 1991 — The surviving historic Quang Binh Quan Gate, which has become a symbol of the city, is restored and renovated.
• 2003 — The inclusion of the nearby Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the UNESCO Heritage List transforms the city into an important tourism hub.
• 2004 — Dong Hoi officially receives the status of a city under provincial administration (Class III city).
• 2014 — Thanks to successful economic and infrastructural development, the Government of Vietnam upgrades Dong Hoi to a Class II city status.

Evolution and Modern Development

The modern appearance of Dong Hoi is the result of large-scale infrastructural transformations that have turned it into a dynamic tourism centre. One of the turning points in urban planning was the construction of the Nhat Le Bridge in the early 2000s. This engineering structure connected the historic centre with the Bao Ninh peninsula, which was previously isolated by the river. The appearance of a reliable crossing opened access to the sea coast and kick-started the active construction of resort hotels and recreation zones on the eastern bank.

The region's exit from transport isolation was ensured by the reconstruction and launch of the civil Dong Hoi Airport in 2008. The organisation of regular flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City became a powerful stimulus for the local economy, significantly simplifying logistics for investors and travellers. This event not only increased business activity but also accelerated the improvement of the urban environment, including the renovation of embankments and the creation of new public spaces.

A key role in reorienting the city's economy was played by the tourism boom associated with the growing popularity of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Becoming the main logistical "gateway" to world-class caves, the city experienced rapid growth in the service sector. The increase in tourist flow stimulated the appearance of numerous restaurants, hotels, and excursion bureaus, securing Dong Hoi's status as an important node on the travel map of Vietnam.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Dong Hoi is a visual chronicle of destruction and rebirth. Due to fierce bombardments during the war, a large part of the historical buildings was destroyed, so the modern city represents a combination of restored monuments of the Nguyen Dynasty, ruins of the colonial period, and new functional developments of the 21st century.

Nguyen Dynasty Era: Military Fortification

In the early 19th century, urban planning was defined by defensive needs. The architecture of this period is characterised by austerity, monumentality, and a blend of Eastern traditions with elements of European fortification (Vauban style).

• Dong Hoi Citadel (Thành Đồng Hới): Originally an earthen and later a brick fortress, built in the shape of a four-pointed star. The surviving fragments of walls and moats demonstrate the classic style of Vietnamese military architecture of that time.
• Quang Binh Gate (Quang Binh Quan): A symbol of the city, a restored checkpoint on the former Mandarin Road. The structure is executed in traditional Vietnamese style using arched openings and tiled roofs with curved corners.

Colonial Period and Echoes of War

Little remains of the French presence in the city. The most striking evidence of that era, and simultaneously a memorial to the destruction of war, are the ruins of religious structures.

• Tam Toa Church: Built in the late 19th century, it was a vivid example of Portuguese and French Catholic architecture in the Neo-Gothic style. Today, only the brick bell tower with traces of shells remains of the majestic building, preserved as a historical monument.

Modern Urbanism and Resort Style

After the 1990s, Dong Hoi began to develop as a tourism centre. The urban planning vector shifted towards the Nhat Le River and the sea coast, forming a new, open, and spacious city appearance.

• Bridges and Embankments: The construction of bridges (specifically the Nhat Le Bridge) defined the modern panorama of the city. These engineering structures are executed in the style of modernism using cable-stayed designs and impressive lighting.
• Resort Architecture: On the Bao Ninh peninsula, modern developments of hotels and resorts prevail, combining functionalism with elements of traditional Asian décor (sloped roofs, use of wood and stone), integrated into the coastal landscape.

Distinguished Personalities in the Region's History

The land of Quang Binh and the city of Dong Hoi are the homeland of many renowned figures of Vietnam. From great strategists of the past to romantic poets, these people have left an indelible mark on the culture and history of the country.

• Vo Nguyen Giap (Võ Nguyên Giáp)
  General, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army
  One of the greatest military strategists of the 20th century, born in Quang Binh Province (Le Thuy District). Although he was not born in the city itself, his name is sacred to local residents. The General played a key role in Vietnam gaining independence. His tomb, located north of Dong Hoi, is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of Vietnamese people and tourists.
• Mother Suot (Mẹ Suốt)
  National Heroine, Ferrywoman
  Nguyen Thi Suot (1906–1968) is a legendary woman who became a symbol of the bravery of Dong Hoi residents. During fierce bombardments, while already in her 60s, she tirelessly ferried soldiers, ammunition, and food across the Nhat Le River on her small boat. A majestic monument has been erected to her in the city centre, on the embankment.
• Han Mac Tu (Hàn Mặc Tử)
  Poet, Journalist
  A famous modernist poet of the early 20th century, born directly in Dong Hoi. He is considered one of the founders of Vietnamese romantic poetry. Despite a tragic fate and early death, his lyrical works are part of the golden fund of national literature.
• Dao Duy Tu (Đào Duy Từ)
  Military Advisor, Architect, Poet
  An outstanding statesman of the 17th century who served the Nguyen Lords. His connection to the city is fundamental: it was he who designed and supervised the construction of the Luy Thay defensive wall system, which turned Dong Hoi into an impregnable fortress and defined the borders of a divided Vietnam for a century and a half.
• Nguyen Huu Canh (Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh)
  General, Governor
  A native of these parts (17th–18th centuries), famous for his campaigns to the south. He is credited with the founding of Saigon (modern Ho Chi Minh City) and the incorporation of the Mekong Delta into the Vietnamese state. A temple and tomb in his honour have been preserved in the vicinity of the city.
• Luu Trong Lu (Lưu Trọng Lư)
  Writer, Playwright
  Born in the neighbouring Bo Trach District. One of the pioneers of the "New Poetry" movement in the 1930s. His work, permeated with melancholy and love for his native landscapes, had a significant influence on the development of modern Vietnamese language and literature.