Research on the reconstruction of the Kính Thiên palace and its surrounding spatial context at the Thăng Long imperial citadel, the World Heritage site

Abstract

The Central Sector of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. Since then, the respect for and implementation of UNESCO’s recommendations, as well as the commitments made by the Prime Minister of Viet Nam to the World Heritage Committee regarding the Central Sector of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi, have been accorded the highest priority by the Government and the Hanoi municipal authorities, with the close involvement of relevant professional agencies, experts, and scholars. The Thăng Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre has carried out numerous research and management activities and has achieved significant results across multiple fields, ranging from archaeological research, the consolidation of the overall management plan, investment in human resource development and capacity building in heritage management, to the enhancement of visitor management strategies. In particular, the results of archaeological excavations conducted in fulfilment of the first commitment have yielded exceptionally important discoveries, contributing to the clarification of the scale and significance of the Heritage Site and providing new insights into its outstanding value. In recent years, research on the reconstruction of the Kính Thiên Palace and its surrounding spatial context has undergone decisive developments, notably since the international scientific conference “20 Years of Research, Conservation and Promotion of the Values of the Thăng Long  Imperial Citadel - Hanoi Heritage”, which culminated in the Hanoi Communiqué 2022; the preparation of the State of Conservation Report; interdisciplinary missions by the World Heritage Centre (UNESCO) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS); and the formulation of the vision for the Central Axis, the archaeological research strategy, and the heritage interpretation strategy… By strictly implementing the directives of the Party, the State, and the Hanoi municipal authorities, the Thăng Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre has identified an appropriate development pathway and achieved breakthroughs in management and governance. Its comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach has fostered consensus both domestically and internationally