At the Thang Long Imperial Citadel World Heritage Site (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) on the afternoon of January 10, the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology, in collaboration with the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, announced the results of the archaeological excavations at the Citadel in 2024.
In 2024, following UNESCO's recommendations and the approval of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology, conducted an exploratory excavation spanning 500 square metres, with 4 excavation pits.
The first pit is located in the southwest area of Hau Lau relic site (in the northwest of Kinh Thien Palace — the imperial court space during the Le Dynasty and later periods).
The second pit was excavated right on the floor of the Kinh Thien Palace.
The third pit is situated roughly in the middle between the Kinh Thien Palace and Doan Mon (the Southern Gate), angled toward the west.
The fourth pit is located just behind the Doan Mon, toward the Kinh Thien Palace, a short distance away from the previous excavation pit at the front gate.
The excavation aims to focus on clarifying the spatial structure of the Kinh Thien Palace. This area was previously excavated in 2011 and 2023.
The new findings further clarify the structural foundation of Kinh Thien Palace during the Le Trung Hung dynasty period.
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The drainage system has remained intact and reliable through the centuries. |
According to Assoc. Prof. Tong Trung Tin, President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association, although the 2024 excavation covered a small area, it has provided many new insights, marking an important step forward in the understanding of Kinh Thien Palace and its surrounding space during the Le So period (the 15th-16th century) and Le Trung Hung period (17th-18th century) in terms of architecture, materials, overall layout, and construction techniques.
These discoveries serve as a foundation for the research and restoration of Kinh Thien Palace and its surrounding space. They also highlight the necessity of dismantling certain structures to further clarify the understanding of the value of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, as outlined in UNESCO's Decision No. 46 COM 7B.43, which was approved in July 2024.
