Hanoi, January 1 (VNA) – The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hanoi, has gained an additional area of 13,800 m², donated by the Ministry of Defense.
The area, located at 28A Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh district, has housed the Vietnam Army Museum since 1966, later renamed the Vietnam Military History Museum. The museum covers an area of more than 13,000 m², including exhibition buildings, functional areas and notably the famous Hanoi Flag Tower.
The Hanoi People’s Committee made a decision on October 5, 2009 regarding the transfer for management of 89,357 m² of land, including that of the Vietnam Military History Museum, to the Co Loa Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi Citadel, now known as Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi.
However, at the time of the decision, the museum had not yet invested in a new headquarters. The transfer of the defense land was approved by the Central Military Commission and the Hanoi City Party Committee in 2019. Recently, the museum completed its move to a new headquarters in Nam Tu Liem district, which allowed him to cede the land to the citadel.
“The museum has been located at 28A Dien Bien Phu for 58 years to promote our cultural and military historical heritage,” said Director of the Vietnam Military History Museum Le Vu Huy. “We believe that with its rich tradition and dedication, the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi will effectively manage the heritage sites??? the land we hand over. »
Director of the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi, Nguyen Thanh Quang, said the center received the last remaining area of the world heritage site from the Ministry of Defense.
The unification of the entire heritage site will enable the center to better fulfill its commitments to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, with the Thang Long Imperial Citadel having been recognized as a world cultural heritage site in 2010.
“After the handover, we will quickly open the remains to visitors on January 1, 2025, including the Hanoi Flag Tower area which is an important monument for the capital and the country,” he said.
“In the longer term, we will launch a tour covering the entire area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, from Hanoi Flag Tower to Doan Mon (Main Gate), Kinh Thien Dragon Steps and other works architectural and historical aspects of the citadel. »
Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of historic imperial buildings first constructed in 1011 during the reign of King Ly Thai To of the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225).
Recognized as one of the 10 Special National Sites by the Prime Minister in 2009, this place subsequently achieved the prestigious distinction of being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. Its universal values, recognized by UNESCO, are manifested through its historical longevity, its continued role as a seat of power and its stratified cultural heritage.- VNA
