Hanoi (VNA) – The inception of the nocturnal tour “Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel” is an effort to develop new, intriguing tourism products based on familiar heritage and relic sites.
Unlike regular excursions, this tour has become a special experience tourism programme for domestic and foreign tourists. In the sacred space marking the thousand-year history of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the background music will inspire visitors in the theme of the venue.
The citadel is a World Cultural Heritage Site at the heart of the capital city, representing thousands of years of civilisation. The heritage site has a history of more than 1,300 years with unique relics, testifying to the heroic history of Thang Long-Hanoi and the country.
The tour was jointly launched by the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre and HanoiTourist travel company in April 2021.
Foreign tourists now can enjoy a 120-minute night tour at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi, with enticing cultural, culinary, and architectural experiences.
Travellers depart from Doan Mon (Main Gate), the entrance to Cam Thanh (Forbidden area) – the Kings’ residence and working place. Their evening path will include a visit to an archeological excavation area, an exhibition hall of antiquities with some dating back over 1,000 years, Kinh Thien Palace, and an archeological site at No. 18 Hoang Dieu Street.
Visitors will also enjoy royal performances and art programmes along with an introduction to archaeological excavations shedding light on the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties.
The tour runs from 5:30pm to 9pm in winter and from 6 pm to 9:30 pm in summer.
The Imperial Citadel buildings and the remains in the archaeological site reflect “a unique Southeast Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley. The location is at the crossroads between China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south”, UNESCO wrote on its website.
It is exceptional to see the capital city of the country that preserves a complex of relics with a long cultural history and overlapping cultural layers that detail eachera.
This is an outstanding feature, contributing to the value and uniqueness of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. At the end of the tour, tourists will have a chance to participate in the “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long” game.
Accordingly, artifacts of the citadel are laser projected on the foundations of archaeological remains or on the ancient walls for visitors to learn and answer. Interesting details and hints will be revealed during the tour.
Next up is a visit to the site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, where archaeologists have unearthed scores of relics over the years, creating a map of the overlapping dynasties from the objects they left behind. Guests have the chance to draw water from a well dating back to the Tran dynasty (13th-14th centuries) which was once used to serve the kings. The well, seen as a source of life, symbolises the inexhaustible culture of Vietnam, still a viable source of water after a thousand years.
After seeing the sites, visitors are challenged to complete the game of “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long”, using the hints and clues to identify artifacts projected by laser onto parts of the site. Finally comes a relaxing treat of traditional lotus tea and lotus jam, enjoyed under the Bodhi tree, a symbol of luck and peace.
After such a packed and immersive adventure, satisfied visitors are sure to leave the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long more knowledge on Vietnamese history than when they arrived.
Notes for tour participants
- Wear formal clothes, comfortable clothes, shoes as guests will have to walk a lot.
- Visitors should arrive 15 minutes in advance at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel’s gate at 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Bien ward, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.
- The heritage area is very large, activities are constantly taking place, so visitors need to follow closely and follow the guide/leader of their group.
- The activity takes place outdoors so guests are advised to bring an extra umbrella in case of rain.
- Ticket prices: 300,000 VND (12 USD) for an adult, 150,000 VND for a child from 5-11 years old,
- Ticket prices include on-site guide./.
