Admire the 5 newly recognized national treasures at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Kinhtedothi - The dragon-shaped steps of the Ly Dynasty, the green-glazed ceramic box lid of the Ly Dynasty, the brown-flowered ceramic pot of the Tran Dynasty, the bronze lamp plate set of the Tran Dynasty, and the white-glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs of the early Le Dynasty, currently preserved at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, have just been recognized as national treasures.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh signed Decision No. 236/QD-TTg dated February 3, 2026, on the recognition of national treasures (14th batch). Among the 30 artifacts and groups of artifacts recognized as national treasures in this batch, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has 5 artifacts, all containing special historical and cultural value.

Dragon-shaped ramparts of the Ly Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 12th-13th centuries

According to documents from the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center, the dragon-shaped rampart from the Ly Dynasty is the remaining part of a rampart made of sandstone. This rampart is located on the left side of a staircase leading up to the building.

Front view of the outer wall of the Dragon-Staired Citadel during the Ly Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The entire upper part is sculpted into a dragon statue. The dragon is depicted in a downward-sloping posture, head held high, mouth holding a pearl, crest and S-shaped markings extending forward, mane flowing backward and covering part of its body, front paws raised in front of its face, supporting the precious pearl. The body is sinuous, with soft, flowing curves resembling a cloth bag (omega shape), short, soft fins trailing backward, and scales covering its body. The legs are shown in a posture as if pushing the body forward, giving the impression of powerful movement.

On the outer surface, below the dragon statue, are decorative motifs of lotus vines, cloud-shaped patterns, and question mark motifs, with the lotus vines motif being the main design. On the inner surface, in the spaces between the two steps, within the right-angled triangle frame, there are also decorations of lotus vines with a similar floral structure as on the outer surface, surrounded by question mark motifs.

The stepped rampart of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, dating back to the Ly Dynasty, is the earliest known example of palace architecture. It was discovered in Zone G of the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site, Hanoi, approximately 250 meters southwest of the Kinh Thien Palace foundation, within the central area of ​​the Thang Long Imperial Citadel during the Ly, Tran, and Le Dynasties.

Details of the dragon head on the exterior. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The stepped ramparts of the Ly Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, are the earliest known examples of such ramparts. The exceptional historical and cultural value contained within these ramparts provides evidence of the architectural structure of the Thang Long imperial palace during the Ly Dynasty. While other elements such as tiles, decorative motifs, and dragon statues help us understand the roof structure, decoration, and symbolic meaning, the ramparts and their other structures provide researchers with a clear understanding, enabling them to reconstruct the architectural works of the Ly Dynasty. Simultaneously, they provide documentation for studying the transformation of court architecture and art during the Ly Dynasty and from the Ly Dynasty to the Tran Dynasty.

Lid of a green glazed ceramic box from the Ly Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 11th century

The lid of a green glazed ceramic box from the Ly Dynasty, located in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is hemispherical with a convex surface and edges bent at a right angle to the body. In the center is a coiled dragon. The dragon is depicted flying from left to right counterclockwise, its head coiled inwards and then suddenly upward towards its tail, forming a circle. The dragon's head is held high, its mouth holding a pearl, its crest and S-shaped markings pointing upwards at a 45° angle. Its body is long and smooth like a snake, with 18 curves, each curve resembling a soft cloth pouch. The dragon's long legs are depicted in various poses, interspersed with cloud patterns. Surrounding the dragon are 15 cloud-shaped motifs, arranged in a circle around the central dragon.

Front view, lid facing upwards. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The lid of a green glazed ceramic box from the Ly Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, was discovered in excavation pits A09 (area A) in the central area of ​​Thang Long Imperial Citadel during the Ly, Tran, and Le Dynasties. This is an original artifact, entirely handcrafted, reflecting the high level of glazed ceramic artistry of the Ly Dynasty.

According to documents from the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center, the green glazed ceramic lid from the Ly Dynasty, found in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is a typical example reflecting the peak of technical and artistic development of glazed ceramics in Dai Viet during the Ly Dynasty. From clay selection, shaping, carving, to glazing and firing, the artifact shows that Ly Dynasty potters had mastered the entire process of producing high-quality ceramics.

Technically, the artifact demonstrates the perfection of glazed pottery production processes in the 11th and 12th centuries. Artisans mastered techniques such as potter's wheel shaping, relief sculpting, perforation, and the application of thick, transparent glazes, fired at high temperatures to achieve natural shades of green. The emergence of this technique represents a significant advancement in Vietnamese glazed pottery technology, marking a brilliant period of development for pottery in Thang Long and surrounding centers.

Front view, lid facing down. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

From an artistic perspective, the dragon and cloud motifs on the lid of the box clearly reflect the spirit and symbolism of the Ly Dynasty – a dynasty associated with the flourishing of Buddhism and aesthetic thought. The dragons of the Ly Dynasty have a soft, graceful appearance, symbolizing the sacred power of the king and the harmony between humanity and the universe, between royal power and religious doctrine.

Brown-glazed ceramic pot from the Tran Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 13th century

The brown-glazed ceramic pot from the Tran Dynasty, found in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, has a cylindrical shape with straight, slightly beveled sides that curve inwards. The central part features the pot's most important design: a lotus vine pattern with a sinuous, winding stem forming three pairs. The stem is divided into segments, from which branches, leaves, and flowers emerge. The flowers are nestled between the undulating sections. The lotus flower is depicted in a slanted position, in full bloom.

Front view of a brown-glazed ceramic pot from the Tran Dynasty. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The brown-glazed ceramic pot from the Tran Dynasty, along with other Tran Dynasty ceramics discovered at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is evidence of the high level of development of ceramic production in Dai Viet during the Tran Dynasty.

During the Ly and Tran dynasties, glazed pottery and porcelain were produced with various glazes such as white glaze, jade glaze, brown glaze, jade green glaze, and brown-white glaze. Among these, white glazed pottery with brown floral patterns is one of the characteristic types of pottery from the Ly and Tran dynasties. White glazed pottery with brown floral patterns is a type of pottery where the glaze is white, and the floral patterns are covered with brown glaze, with the white glaze serving as a background to highlight the brown decorative patterns.

The exceptional historical and cultural value embodied in the brown-glazed ceramic pots from the Tran Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is reflected in their artistic and technical aspects.

A close-up view of the decorative details of the flower bud and lotus petals. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

Technically, the pot demonstrates a transformation in the techniques and production processes of glazed ceramics in general, and of the white glazed ceramics with brown painted designs in particular. Decorative motifs such as lotus petals, instead of being carved, now utilize a technique of printing on separate molds and applying them to the base; floral patterns are painted in color, and then the glaze is applied simultaneously to the entire surface of the product. This shift in technique and process is evidence of technological and technical advancements, as well as improved labor productivity…

Culturally, the lotus motif is used as a typical symbol of the Ly and Tran dynasties, the peak period of Buddhist development.

Bronze lamp set from the Tran Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 13th-14th centuries

The Trần Dynasty bronze lamp set comprises 12 artifacts. The lamps in the collection share similar shapes and structures. The lamps are small, hemispherical in shape, with a flat base, a very low pedestal, curved sides, a straight mouth, a rounded rim, and a V-shaped opening, resembling the bottom of a peach, hence this collection is also known as the "peach-shaped cup," with two handles on either side. One lamp has a bird carved on its base; another has a bird's head depicted.

Front view of A09.KL073. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The set of bronze lamp plates from the Tran Dynasty, located in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is evidence reflecting the level of technology and metallurgical techniques during the Tran Dynasty, providing a more comprehensive view of the economic and social life of the Tran period.

The set of bronze lamp plates from the Tran Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is a completely handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artifact. Although the 12 specimens in the collection have very similar shapes and structures, and their sizes can be divided into two groups, each specimen possesses unique characteristics due to their handcrafted nature.

The exceptional historical and cultural value contained in the bronze lamp set from the Tran Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, provides evidence of life and activities in the capital city, as well as the techniques and technology of bronze casting during the Tran Dynasty. Analysis results show a very high purity of the raw material.

Front view of the A09.KL073 base. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The bronze lamp set from the Tran Dynasty, found in Thang Long Imperial Citadel, is the only metal lamp set from the Ly-Tran period discovered in Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Its unique shape also indicates the high quality of this item. The 12 specimens in the collection have similar structures and shapes, belonging to two groups in size, and the specimens can be arranged together in a single lamp stand.

White glazed ceramic vase with dragon motif, early Le Dynasty, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 15th century

The white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty has a spherical shape, consisting of a mouth, shoulder, body, and base. The mouth is straight and low, with a rounded rim; the shoulder is rounded and slopes down to the body; the body flares outwards; and the base is low and indistinguishable from the body. Glaze covers the inside, outside, and base completely. The rim and base are scraped of glaze. Four handles are attached to the body, serving more decorative than functional purposes.

Front view of a white glazed ceramic vase. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty is a testament to the high level of development of ceramic production during that period. The vase is entirely handcrafted, making it a unique and one-of-a-kind piece. The quality of this white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty is evident in its material, glaze color, firing technique, and decorative motifs.

The firing temperature and techniques of the products meet and exceed the standards of ordinary glazed pottery. The white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty is a product that was fired twice. The first firing took place after the patterns were drawn on the body, the body was thoroughly dried, and the glaze was applied. The first firing was done with high heat, reaching temperatures of approximately 1,200°C - 1,300°C.

Aerial view. Photo: Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

The shaping techniques and the skill in drawing patterns represent a new development in production techniques. The meticulous and exquisite patterns demonstrate the skill and aesthetic sense of the talented potters. The materials and patterns all indicate that these are products of the imperial workshop, a production organization established by the court to produce items for the emperor and the royal family. Working at the imperial workshop were the best artisans recruited from pottery villages; therefore, it can be said that they were the best and their products were the pinnacle of pottery craftsmanship.

The white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty holds exceptional historical and cultural value. Besides its beautiful design and high quality, the five-clawed dragon motif on its body confirms that this white glazed ceramic vase with dragon motifs from the early Le Dynasty was a royal artifact used in the Le Dynasty's imperial palace; it adds to and enriches the collection of royal artifacts and reflects the diverse life within the Thang Long imperial palace during the early Le Dynasty.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/chiem-nguong-5-bao-vat-quoc-gia-moi-duoc-cong-nhan-tai-hoang-thanh-thang-long.978815.html