Central Area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel

The World Heritage Committee has just passed a Resolution recognizing the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi as a World Cultural Heritage. This Resolution was passed by the Committee at its 34th session in Brasilia (Brazil) at 20:30 on July 31, 2010 local time, or 6:30 on August 1, 2010 Vietnam time. This is a priceless gift, an extremely meaningful event for the Vietnamese people and the capital Hanoi on the eve of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. Attending the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee, the Vietnamese delegation included Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Hang - Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for the 1000th Anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, Director of the UNESCO Department of External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Van Nghia Dung - Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO... The outstanding global values of the heritage site are recognized by 3 outstanding features: Length of cultural history; Continuity of the property as a center of power, and Diverse and rich layers of relics. The World Heritage Committee recognized the Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi as a World Cultural Heritage based on 3 criteria (out of 6 criteria of UNESCO). According to criterion number 2, the above-ground and underground relics excavated in the Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi are outstanding evidence of the long-term cultural exchange process, a place that received many cultural influences from the outside, many doctrines and ideologies of global value of human civilization, especially Buddhism, Confucianism, Feng Shui theory, Eastern royal citadel model, Western military architecture model (Vauban citadel), from China, Champa, France, to create unique and creative features of a political, economic and cultural center of a country in the Red River Delta. The results of that cultural exchange and acculturation are expressed in the creation of landscapes, planning of palace areas, in the architectural art and decorative art of the royal court with diverse cultural developments through historical periods.

Stone dragon on the steps of Kinh Thien Palace - the center of Thang Long Imperial Citadel According to criterion number 3, the Central Area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi is the only evidence of the long-standing cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people in the Red River Delta throughout its 13-century history and is still continuing to this day. The archaeological cultural layers, architectural and artistic relics of the heritage reflect a continuous historical chain of dynasties ruling Vietnam in terms of ideology, politics, administration, law, economy and culture for nearly a thousand years. It is very rare in the world to find a heritage that demonstrates such a long-term continuity of political and cultural development as the Central Area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi. According to criterion number 6, the Central Area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi clearly demonstrates a heritage that is directly related to many important events in the history of a Southeast Asian nation in regional and world relations. The nominated heritage is convincing evidence of the vitality and ability to revive a country after more than ten centuries of foreign domination. The nominated heritage also bears the mark of a colonial country's victory in the struggle against colonialism and for national independence, and has a wide influence on the national liberation movement in the world. Since 2006, with the close and close direction of the Central Government and the Government, the effective coordination of the Central Ministries, Departments and Branches, the high determination and efforts of Hanoi City, especially the enthusiastic, dedicated and responsible participation of domestic and international scientists, the Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi has been protected, ranked as a Special National Monument and a dossier has been prepared to propose UNESCO to recognize it as a World Cultural Heritage.

The above-ground and underground relics excavated in the Central Area of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi are outstanding evidence of the long-term cultural exchange process. In the photo: Doan Mon relic

The dossier was registered in September 2008 and officially submitted to UNESCO in January 2009. UNESCO conducted strict appraisal procedures through the ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) advisory body, and has now been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by the World Heritage Committee of 21 member countries. The recognition of the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi as a World Cultural Heritage is an honor and pride for all Vietnamese people, a gratitude to the ancestors who have contributed to the creation, construction and enrichment of the historical and cultural values of Thang Long - Hanoi with a thousand years of civilization, a priceless asset left for future generations, and also a potential and strength for the economic - cultural - social development of the Capital and the country. This also poses great tasks and responsibilities for Hanoi city in managing, preserving, embellishing and promoting the value of the heritage. In the immediate future, it is necessary to focus on organizing well the reception of people and domestic and international tourists to visit the heritage on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. Source: https://quochoi.vn/hoatdongcuaquochoi/cackyhopquochoi/quochoikhoaXIII/Pages/danh-sach-ky-hop.aspx?ItemID=7526&CategoryId=0