'Reviving' Thang Long Imperial Citadel

After becoming a World Cultural Heritage site, Thang Long Imperial Citadel had to both preserve its precious relics and artifacts in the best possible condition and effectively research, interpret, recreate, restore, and promote their value. Scientific research results are becoming the foundation for "reviving" the heritage through cultural industries.

The artifacts showcase the unique bracketed roof architecture at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Unprecedented scientific achievements

Excavations at Thang Long Imperial Citadel have uncovered the largest number of architectural foundations and structures compared to previous excavations. The ruins of these structures were continuously layered on top of each other over 13 centuries. Excavations at 18 Hoang Dieu and the National Assembly area have found a complex of 53 architectural foundations, 7 wall foundations, 6 wells, and millions of artifacts. Many of these artifacts later became National Treasures. Associate Professor Dr. Tong Trung Tin, President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association, affirmed: "The results obtained from this excavation are something no one had imagined before."

A significant achievement in the research of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site is the successful deciphering of the palace architecture – the architectural masterpiece of the Thang Long capital. A crucial discovery, and the "golden key" to deciphering the palace's architectural form, is the use of brackets – a technique for supporting and decorating the roof, demonstrating a high level of construction skill in wooden architecture. Based on this result, the Institute of Imperial Citadel Research has successfully reconstructed the architectural forms of the Ly Dynasty palaces and the Kinh Thien Palace from the early Le Dynasty using 3D technology, allowing for a clearer visualization and deeper appreciation of the unique beauty, magnificence, and grand scale of the architectural works within the ancient Thang Long imperial palace.

Suggestions for the future

Associate Professor Bui Minh Tri, former Director of the Institute for Imperial Citadel Research, proposed: “There needs to be a breakthrough investment in in-depth research, moving towards the reconstruction/restoration of heritage based on reliable and verifiable scientific evidence. These research achievements will gradually be built into a digital data platform, thereby creating a comprehensive picture of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage on digital technology platforms in the future.”

The cultural, historical, architectural, decorative art, and construction engineering values ​​of Thang Long Imperial Citadel are gradually being clarified. This provides a scientific basis for the reconstruction of other architectural works built in the past, and also serves as input data for artificial intelligence (AI) on Thang Long Imperial Citadel to develop the cultural and tourism industries in the future.

The scientific information about Thang Long Imperial Citadel serves as "raw material" for cultural industries, allowing historical, cultural, and artistic values ​​to shine in effective economic activities. Experts emphasize the need to pay special attention to exploiting the uniqueness, originality, and creativity in each specific product: cultural heritage tourism tours, interactive experiences, souvenir products - both mass-produced and limited-edition versions... to meet the needs of the developing tourism service market.

Effectively exploiting the value of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site will promote not only the cultural industry but also the tourism sector. Conversely, through cultural industry products, the value of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site will spread to the world. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site can truly "revive" not only in history but also become an attractive tourist and research destination.

Source: https://znews.vn/hoi-sinh-hoang-thanh-thang-long-post1601336.html