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The Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of historical relics associated with the history of Thang Long - Dong Kinh and Hanoi province, beginning from the pre-Thang Long period (An Nam Protectorate in the 7th century), through the Dinh - Early Le dynasties, flourishing under the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, and the Hanoi citadel under the Nguyen dynasty. This is a massive architectural work, built by various emperors over many historical periods, and has become one of the most important relics in the system of Vietnamese historical sites.
Not only was it the economic, political, and cultural center of the dynasties for 13 centuries, a testament to the unique cultural and customary exchanges throughout different periods, Thang Long Imperial Citadel is also closely associated with thousands of years of the nation's history of building and defending the country and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Recently, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with the Hanoi Tourism Association, developed and introduced the "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour to offer the public a unique tourism product and stimulate domestic tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic. This night tour also gives visitors the opportunity to explore the mysteries of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and witness firsthand its solemn and majestic beauty at night.
Hanoi Flagpole as seen from Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Lasting approximately one hour, the "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour begins at Doan Mon Gate – the entrance to the Forbidden City, the former residence and workplace of the king; experiencing the ancient Imperial Citadel; enjoying the traditional "Water-Baking Dance under the Moonlight"; witnessing firsthand the overlapping archaeological remains of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties unearthed in an excavation pit located behind Doan Mon Gate; admiring precious artifacts and relics found at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the exhibition hall themed "Thang Long Hanoi - A Thousand Years of History from the Earth"; and offering incense at Kinh Thien Palace.
Doan Mon
Performing the traditional dance "Drawing Water Under the Moonlight"
The final stop on the night tour is the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site, covering an area of 45,530 m².2Here, after years of excavation, archaeologists have discovered millions of artifacts dating back to different periods, layered upon one another over 1300 years. Around the world, it is rare to find a capital city where such a complex of historical and cultural relics and artifacts, with layers of culture stacked and connected in such a relatively continuous manner, is preserved underground. This is a remarkable feature that contributes to the immense value and uniqueness of the site.
Kính Thiên Palace - considered the very heart of the country.
The Dragon Terrace in front of the Kính Thiên Palace was created in 1467 during the reign of King Lê Thánh Tông.
The entrance to the Kính Thiên Palace is located on Hoàng Diệu Street.
The tour concludes with a game called "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" for all visitors. Several representative artifacts of the Imperial Citadel will be projected using lasers, requiring visitors to guess what they are and which period they belong to. This is an interesting challenge, not only providing visitors with a relaxing time but also a way for them to review the information they have gained during the tour and test their memory.
Archaeological site 18 Hoang Dieu
These lampposts were erected to resemble the corridor columns in the ancient Imperial Citadel.
Bricks dating from the Dai La period (7th-9th centuries), the Ly-Tran period (11th-14th centuries), and the Le period (15th-17th centuries) were unearthed at the 18 Hoang Dieu archaeological site.
This lake dates back to the Trần Dynasty (13th-14th centuries). Interestingly, it contained saltwater, and archaeologists have found evidence suggesting it was used to cultivate saltwater aquatic life. Historians believe this was a way for the Trần kings to commemorate their homeland (the Trần Dynasty originated in Đông Triều, Quảng Ninh).
According to the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, the "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour is expected to officially open to visitors at the end of this year. Operating hours will be from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM daily in winter and from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM daily in summer. The expected price is 150,000 VND per person.
Here are some images of artifacts displayed at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel exhibition area:
