Following the Prime Minister’s direction in Document No. 7359/VPCP-KGVX dated July 27, 2026; Document No. 291/BTK/2026 dated September 10, 2026 of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO; and Document No. 6009/BVHTTDL-DSVH dated September 18, 2026 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, relevant Ha Noi authorities are urgently preparing a dossier proposing that UNESCO join the commemoration of the 850th death anniversary of To Hien Thanh.
Historical and cultural figure To Hien Thanh was not only a prominent loyal official in the nation’s history but also an outstanding statesman who made significant contributions to strengthening the State apparatus, safeguarding territorial sovereignty, expanding maritime space and promoting cultural exchanges in Dai Viet during the 12th century. His values, ethics and talents remain relevant to the cause of national construction and development today.
Ha Noi aims to establish a comprehensive body of scientific, legal and practical evidence to affirm To Hien Thanh’s position, contributions and influence in Vietnamese history and culture.
By seeking UNESCO’s participation in commemorating the 850th anniversary of his death, the city hopes to promote the cultural, historical and ethical values associated with To Hien Thanh, as well as his spirit of public service and responsibility to the nation. The initiative is also intended to support education in national traditions and contribute to building an elegant and civilised Ha Noi citizens.
It also provides an opportunity to raise awareness among communities at home and abroad of the importance of preserving, protecting and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage associated with To Hien Thanh and the Ly Dynasty in relevant localities.
The city will compile, inventory, collect, translate, assess and digitalise materials relating to To Hien Thanh’s life, career, deeds and intellectual legacy, as well as historical sites, places of worship, festivals and other forms of commemoration associated with him.
Surveys and documentary collection will be conducted in Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa and other relevant localities.
Ha Noi will prepare the official scientific dossier in accordance with UNESCO’s prescribed format, while also completing documentaries and scientific films, archival photo albums, proceedings of workshops and seminars, publications, a website, fieldwork reports, bibliographies, consolidated reports and letters of support.
To carry out surveys and collect documents and artefacts, Ha Noi will establish a Steering Committee, a city-level working group and a dossier compilation team.
The compilation team will comprise representatives of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the administration of O Dien Commune — To Hien Thanh’s hometown — as well as scientists and experts in dossier preparation, translation and heritage communication.
Based on the survey and collected materials, the dossier will be developed around thematic areas covering To Hien Thanh’s life and career, outstanding contributions, regional and international influence, related cultural heritage, and an action programme to promote heritage values. The city will also seek opinions from communities that preserve, practise and promote values associated with To Hien Thanh to further refine the dossier.
The dossier will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before October 15, 2026, and finalised for submission through the national channel before December 1, 2026.
From December 2026 to March 2027, the city will coordinate efforts to supplement, clarify, revise and finalise the dossier in accordance with UNESCO requirements.
In 2027, Ha Noi will focus on promotion and advocacy, followed by activities to promote the associated heritage values in 2028. In 2029, subject to the adoption of a UNESCO resolution, the city will organise a ceremony honouring To Hien Thanh in conjunction with the commemoration of the 850th anniversary of his death.
