Promoting the heritage value of Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Unifying the space of historical and revolutionary cultural heritage

The conference on handover of defense land and assets attached to the land between the Vietnam Military History Museum and the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center at 28A Dien Bien Phu (Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) was held on December 25.

Colonel Trinh Nhu Hue, Deputy Chief of the Office of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (authorized by the General Staff), said that the handover of defense land and assets attached to the land between the Vietnam Military History Museum and the Hanoi Party Committee had been agreed upon by the Central Military Commission Standing Committee and the Hanoi Party Committee in Notice 893 dated August 30, 2019 and the Conclusion of the Conference to review the coordination of leadership and direction of military and defense work associated with socio-economic development in Hanoi. However, at that time, the Vietnam Military History Museum had not yet invested in building a new headquarters. Up to now, the Vietnam Military History Museum has completed phase 1 of construction by the Ministry of National Defense and moved to the new headquarters to work.

Promotional image of the world heritage site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi

Implementing the direction of the General Department of Vietnam People's Army, the General Department Office presided over and coordinated with relevant agencies to carry out the handover. The two units have carried out the handover of boundaries, defense land areas and assets attached to the land. Specifically, in the list of assets handed over and received, there are real estate and land facilities at No. 28A Dien Bien Phu (land area of ​​13,800m2, flagpole, houses, green tree system...). The Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center receives and manages the use; completes legal procedures on land management according to State regulations and other procedures from January 1, 2025.

At the handover conference, Colonel Le Vu Huy, Director of the Vietnam Military History Museum, shared: “The museum has been located at 28A Dien Bien Phu for 58 years to promote cultural heritage and military history. We believe that with its long tradition and dedication, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center will promote the relics well.”

Promoting the value of the world heritage of Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Director of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center Nguyen Thanh Quang said that after receiving the handover, the Center will quickly open to visitors from January 1, 2025, including the Hanoi Flag Tower area - an important relic of the capital and the country. In the long term, the Center will conduct tours covering the exact area of ​​Thang Long Imperial Citadel from the Hanoi Flag Tower to Doan Mon, the area of ​​the Kinh Thien Palace dragon terrace and the architectural works and historical values ​​of Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Currently, Thang Long Imperial Citadel is one of the typical and attractive cultural and tourist destinations of the Capital, contributing significantly to the development of cultural industry.

At the 46th Session held at the end of July, UNESCO officially approved Vietnam's proposal on the orientation, vision for research, conservation and development of the World Heritage Site of the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. This is a testament to the correct direction of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general in preserving and promoting the value of this precious heritage site. UNESCO's consensus opens a new phase in promoting the value of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, with the highlight being the demolition of some construction items to move towards the restoration of the Kinh Thien Palace space.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Vietnam Archaeological Association, archaeological research in recent years, especially archaeological excavations in 2022, 2023, 2024, shows that the Operations Department building is located on the main axis of Than Dao, Dan Tri yard. In addition to this building, there is another building, the Artillery Command building, also built by the French at the exact location of Long Thien Palace (previously, the Nguyen Dynasty built Long Thien Palace at the location of Kinh Thien Palace as a temporary palace). "Although the two French architectures were later used by the Ministry of National Defense, leaving their mark in the resistance war against the US, in order to have a deeper understanding and honor the outstanding universal values ​​of the heritage, especially the reconstruction of Kinh Thien Palace, we must have appropriate solutions, in which UNESCO approves the controlled dismantling," said Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Trung Tin.

The handover of the boundary, defense land area and assets attached to the remaining land area of ​​the Vietnam Military History Museum to the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, according to Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Trung Tin, creates unity, is both suitable for the propaganda and promotion of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage, and creates conditions for scientists, archaeologists, and historical and cultural researchers to continue the steps of proper preservation, restoration and effective promotion of the relic.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-hoang-thanh-thang-long-809162