Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his wife, along with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and his wife, visit the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)
On February 24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his wife Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, along with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and his wife Korkan Sangiampongsa, visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site in Hanoi.
The two heads of the two countries' diplomatic sectors and their wives were introduced by representatives of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center (under the City People's Committee) about the thousands of years of history of the Vietnamese people through artifacts preserved and maintained at the heritage site recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, a place bearing the historical imprint of the thousand-year-old capital.
The Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi is an important remaining part of the Forbidden City and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Capital, the largest and most important capital of Dai Viet nation, built from 1010 and existing until 1789.
This was the center of power of the kings through the Ly, Tran, Le So, Mac dynasties, to Le Trung Hung.
Archaeological excavations at this site since 2002 have found underground many traces of palace foundations, towers and millions of relics.
These are vivid evidences reflecting the glorious history of Thang Long Citadel more than a thousand years ago.
The two Foreign Ministers walked through Doan Mon Gate to visit the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site, which still preserves many vestiges of Thang Long Imperial Citadel through historical periods.
Here, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa listened to an explanation of the remaining architecture of the Dragon Terrace of Kinh Thien Palace.
These are the old stone foundations and steps leading up to the main hall, with stone dragons guarding the steps, sculpted in the 15th century, representing the pinnacle of sculpture during the early Le Dynasty.
The two leaders also admired the treasures of the Thang Long Royal Palace. These treasures are precious metals and high-class ceramics made by the Thang Long kiln to serve the king, queen, royal family and the daily life of the court.
At the exhibition area, the Thai Foreign Minister was particularly impressed with two royal porcelain bowls from the early Le Dynasty. These two royal porcelain bowls have been recognized as National Treasures. Patterns are decorated inside the bowls.
The main motif is a pair of dragons depicted in a flying position in the clouds forming a circle on the bowl, moving clockwise. In the middle of the bowl is embossed a dragon and the word “Quan.”
In addition, the exhibition area also has some typical and unique types of ceramics, representing the types of utensils and items in the Thang Long Imperial Palace.
Before concluding the tour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son and the Thai Foreign Minister enjoyed coffee and talked about the relationship and potential for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture and education; they agreed to increase the exchange of more cultural events to bring the images of Vietnam and Thailand closer together.
At the end of the tour, Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the delegation expressed their impression of the rich history of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and thanked Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Bui Thanh Son and the staff of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center for their warm welcome during the visit.
Earlier on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son's wife, Ms. Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa's wife, Ms. Korkan Sangiampongsa, visited the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts./.
(Vietnam+)
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