Hanoi (VNA) - A ceremony was held at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel on November 23to mark ten years since its central sector was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Chairman of theHanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh told the ceremony that the capital willmake greater efforts to preserve heritage values over the long term.
It will focus onimplementing approved component projects, educating youngsters about the heritage,and stepping up sustainable tourism activities, he added.
Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said UNESCO’s recognition contributed to raisingpublic awareness of heritage preservation and to educating the youngergeneration about history, traditions, and patriotism.
He suggested Hanoiexpand its cooperation with domestic and foreign scientists to improve preservationwork.
ChiefRepresentative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Michael Croft lauded Hanoi’sefforts in realising its commitments to UNESCO in protecting and upholding heritagevalues.
He called on theThang Long Imperial Citadel Conservation Centre, partners, and Vietnamesepeople to work harder to preserve and promote the citadel, thus helping to takeHanoi forward.
On this occasion,the municipal People’s Committee presented certificates of merit to individualsand collectives in recognition of their conservation efforts.
The Thang LongImperial Citadel, which was placed on the UNESCO list in August 2010, was a powercentre for over a thousand years of Vietnamese history and unique evidence ofVietnamese civilisation during the development of monarchies in Southeast Asiaand East Asia.
Kinh Thien Palaceis the main building in the central sector of the citadel, which is located inwhat is today downtown Hanoi. It sits in the centre of the complex, facing DoanMon (south gate) and Flag Tower.
The palace wasbuilt in 1428 and is believed to be of the highest importance, hosting manyroyal ceremonies. It was also where royals were invited to discuss nationalissues.
It was almostdestroyed at the end of the 19th century by the French colonialists, however, and all that remainstoday is a 100-cm-high banister to the south of the plot and several largestone steps with dragon carvings./.