UNESCO approves conservation strategy for Thang Long Imperial Citadel

During the 46^th session of the committee held in India on July 24, UNESCO chairman adopted a decision officially agreeing with Vietnam's proposals regarding the direction, research vision, conservation, and development of citadel, located in Hanoi.

The approval of the plan will pave the way for clearing the Royal Axis and progressing towards restoring the space as well as Kinh Thien Palace.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi

Speaking at the meeting, Vu Thi Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee stated that the results achieved at this session came from the close collaboration of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and domestic and international scientists.

UNESCO director Lazare Eloundou Assomo added, “The dossier is significant not only for Vietnam but also for the world, addressing new issues related to heritage development. This is a model of cooperation between member states and UNESCO and advisory bodies, and an exemplar of global heritage conservation.”

At the event, Vietnam also expressed desire to the World Heritage Committee regarding the nomination of new heritage sites and the review of conservation and promotion dossiers for heritage values.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh People's Committee, said, “The cultural, historical, and spiritual value of relics at Yen Tu, Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, and Kiep Bac is significant. Quang Ninh hopes to welcome experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to Vietnam to assess the new heritage nomination dossier.”

Additionally, Le Khac Nam, Vice Chairman of Haiphong People's Committee, shared, "Quang Ninh and Haiphong wish to add cultural criteria to Halong Bay and the Cat Ba Archipelago, and request ICOMOS to continue supporting Vietnam."

On this matter, UNESCO and ICOMOS leaders committed to supporting Vietnam in developing and promoting the heritage dossiers that Vietnam has proposed.

The 46^th session of the World Heritage Committee will continue until July 31 to review 27 new heritage nomination dossiers and 124 conservation and promotion dossiers.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is one of five of Vietnam's material cultural heritages recognised by UNESCO, alongside Hoi An's old quarter, My Son Sanctuary, the Hue monument complex, and the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of relics associated with the history of Thang Long-Dong Kinh and Hanoi, dating from the pre-Thang Long period in the 7^th century through the Dinh and early Le dynasties, and developing strongly from there. The unique architectural traces and valuable artefacts have partly recreated the historical process spanning from the period of Chinese domination under the Sui and Tang dynasties of the 7-9^th centuries through to 1945.

After Thang Long Imperial Citadel was recognised as a World Cultural Heritage site, Hanoi has cooperated with agencies to implement the government's various commitments to UNESCO, conducting scientific research, preserving the safety of the heritage, and implementing solutions to promote its value.

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