Japan’s Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is developing technology to preserve the valuable wooden relics in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.

The institute, in coordination with other research institutes such as Kyoto University, will develop numerous chemicals to preserve the relics that are suitable with the humid weather in Vietnam.

This month, researchers will make a survey on the relics’ status quo and study the condition of storehouses in Vietnamese museums.

A research office will also be established at The Vietnam Forestry University to study the characteristics of ancient trees, the effectiveness of preservatives and the possibility of employing different wood drying methods.

The ancient Thang Long Citadel was discovered in 2002 and recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the world cultural heritage in 2010.

The site won the recognition thanks to its three outstanding characteristics: the length of its cultural history, the continuity of the citadel as a power centre and the variety of relics it contains.

However many precious wooden relics, including pillars and lacquer paintings, have been damaged during the displaying and preservation period due to lack of conservation techniques.-VNA