On September 8, the international scientific conference “20 years of researching, preserving and promoting the value of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi” took place at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi.

The event was organized by the Hanoi People’s Committee in collaboration with the Hanoi UNESCO Office and the Vietnam Historical Science Association on September 8 and 9, in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of Cultural Heritage and World nature – Convention 1972; 20 years of researching, preserving and promoting the value of Thang Long Imperial Citadel (2002-2022).

The workshop took place in two days, with two main contents, including: Evaluation of the results of 20 years of research on the heritage of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, especially research results since the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was honored as the World Cultural Heritage; Promoting heritage values – practical experience and orientation, focusing on researching and restoring a number of architectural works in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, in which the focus is on Kinh Thien Palace and surrounding areas.

The organizers received more than 30 presentations, including 8 from experts from Japan, France, the UK, Italy, and 23 from scientists, researchers, conservationists, and managers, belonging to many centers, research institutes, universities, cultural management agencies, museums and world cultural heritages.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh said: “Over a thousand years ago, the land of Thang Long in the past – Hanoi today, was chosen by King Ly Thai To as the capital ò Dai Viet country, with the desire that the capital becomes more and more prosperous like the sacred Dragon ascending.

During more than 10 centuries, from the Ly Dynasty (11th – 12th century) to the Nguyen Dynasty (19th – 20th century), Vietnamese feudal dynasties have continuously inherited, built and developed Thang Long – Dong Kinh – Hanoi into a political, cultural and economic center of the country.

Experiencing many changes of history, vestiges of Thang Long Citadel are still visible through the system of relics found in the Central Area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel today.

According to Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, the excavation of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is biggest in the history of archeology in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Excavation results have revealed historical vestiges spanning 13 centuries, with relics and cultural layers one on top of another, confirming that this is a complex of relics with a long standing culture and history; a typical cultural, historical and archaeological relic; At the same time, it is physical evidence, reflecting a high level of technology, containing historical, architectural and artistic values, as well as reflecting the cultural interference in a long history of Vietnamese people with other countries in the region and the world.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh affirmed: “With the special historical, cultural and scientific values of the monument, the Central Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi has been approved by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as a special national relic in 2009; it was inscribed on the List of World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, on the occasion of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi (1010-2010)”.

In order to contribute to a deeper and more comprehensive awareness of the basic values of the heritage site, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh wishes that experts, scientists, and managers contribute creative ideas, give possible solutions to preserve and promote heritage values.

The results of the workshop will be the scientific basis for Hanoi to develop a plan to restore and recreate the palace architectural heritage in the coming time, in order to preserve and promote the value of the heritage site as well as the heritage; strictly implement the commitments of the Government of Vietnam to fulfilling the recommendations of ICOMOS so that the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long will forever be the pride of the country and the people of Vietnam.

Source: Ha Noi Portal