Bien Hoa Citadel, Military citadel in Biên Hòa, Vietnam.
Bien Hoa Citadel is a military fortress built from reddish laterite stone that covers an area of about 10,800 square meters and surrounds a French colonial mansion in its center. The walls create a distinct boundary that separates the interior grounds from the surrounding city.
The original structure came from the ancient Chenla kingdom and was rebuilt in 1834 on Emperor Minh Mang's orders. It was then upgraded to a stone fortress in 1837 and became the second largest fortification in Vietnam at that time.
Local people called it Thành Kèn because soldiers would sound trumpet signals from within its walls every day. These sounds became part of the neighborhood's rhythm and made the fort easy to recognize from far away.
The fort is located in Quang Vinh ward and can be reached by different types of transportation. It is managed by Dong Nai Provincial Government and operates as a historical site with regular visiting hours.
This is the only surviving ancient citadel in southern Vietnam and shows a rare blend of Vietnamese military architecture mixed with French colonial changes. This combination makes it an exceptional example of how different building styles layered on top of each other in the region.
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