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Feature: Thang Long Imperial Citadel stands as historical testament to Vietnam's power center

Xinhua, February 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, located at the heart of Vietnam's capital city Hanoi, has borne witness to the long history of the country as it has been a continuous seat of political power for almost thirteen centuries.

The Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Vietnamese Ly Dynasty (1010-1225), to mark the independence of the Dai Viet, as Vietnam was known at that time.

It was built on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the seventh century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. The Imperial Citadel and the remains of the 18 Hoang Dieu archaeological site reflect a unique South-East Asian culture, specific to the lower Red River Valley, cites the introduction of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on its website.

According to Associate Prof. Dr. Tong Trung Tin, editor in chief of the Archeology Magazine and former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the site of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is evidence of Vietnam's power center, which has spanned many centuries.

The excavation at the site of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the biggest one in Vietnam so far, said Tin, adding that vestiges overlaying each other through successive dynasties were found at the site.

Within the site, archaeologists found vestiges located over a wide range and deep under the surface. The overlaying of vestiges belonging to various cultural periods being found at the site, reflect the important position of Thang Long, or Hanoi as it's called now, in the country, Tin told Xinhua recently.

At the area of 18 Hoang Dieu archaeological site, archaeologists found many cultural layers belonging to different dynasties intertwining and overlaying each other.

Specifically, there are traces belonging to Nguyen Dynasty ( around 19th-20th century), Le Dynasty (15th-18th century), Ly and Tran Dynasties (11th-14th century), Dinh-Early Le Dynasty (10th- 11th century), and Dai La Dynasty (8th-9th century) in Vietnam.

The archaeological activities have discovered the remains of building foundations, sewage systems, wells, paths, ceramics, weapons and jewelries bearing traces of different dynasties.

Despite the fact that only vestiges were found, they are proof of the sophistication of the palaces and buildings at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Tin said.

The site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, initially chosen for the construction of the National Assembly building, was found to be of exceptional archaeological value in 2002. The National Assembly building project was maintained, but on a smaller scale than originally planned.

Inside the area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel also stands an underground construction called D67, or the meeting room of the politburo and central military commission. The construction was built in 1967, serving as the headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army during the Vietnam-America war.

In 2004, the Ministry of Defense handed over the D67 for cultural and historic use.

Besides the D67 building, several ruins still remain relatively intact at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, including Doan Mon-one of the main gates to the Forbidden City, built with five U-shaped entrances, symmetrically erected through an axis.

Hanoi Flag Tower remains largely intact, as does Hau Lau -- the dwelling for the queen and the princess during Later Le dynasty and the residence of followers who accompanied the King to northern region under the Nguyen dynasty,

Stone dragons in front of Kinh Thien Palace and other relics can also still be identified, among others.

Regarding the conservation work of the world heritage site, Tin told Xinhua that a part of the archaeological site at Thang Long Imperial Citadel lies underground, including the area at 18 Hoang Dieu, meaning conservation of the relic is facing numerous difficulties.

Relevant authorities have been considering a master plan including research, conservation, restoring key relics and construction of a palace museum at the site, Tin said.

"The plan can be implemented in decades, and if it is conducted in the right way, I believe that in the near future, we will have a well-preserved heritage to introduce widely to domestic and international tourists," Tin told Xinhua.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel was inscribed in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2010. Endi