Discover
Discover
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long lies in central Hanoi. The property includes buildings within the citadel and the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, where foundations and artefacts from many periods lie layered on top of one another.
History
History
The Ly dynasty built the citadel in the 11th century to mark the independence of Dai Viet, on the remains of a 7th-century Chinese fortress on land reclaimed from the Red River Delta. UNESCO notes it was the centre of regional political power for almost 13 centuries without interruption.
People & Culture
People & Culture
The finds reflect a culture specific to the lower Red River valley, where influences from China in the north and the Kingdom of Champa in the south met. For us, Thang Long shows how Viet Nam built its own identity by absorbing and adapting the cultures around it.
Living Heritage
Living Heritage
Thang Long was inscribed in 2010, the year Hanoi celebrated its thousandth anniversary. Today the citadel sits amid the busy life of the capital, a place where Vietnamese people come to learn the roots of their country's history.
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