HÀ NỘI — The Cổ Loa relic site in Đông Anh District, on the outskirt of Hà Nội, will be protected and preserved following a project worth VNĐ60 billion (US$2.6 million), the capital’s People’s Committee announced on Friday.

The Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee, Nguyễn Đức Chung, approved a plan on management, conservation and promotion of the site for the period 2018-2020.

The Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre will serve as a focal agency and monitor the implementation of the plan in accordance with current regulations of the State and the city. The project will cover an area of 860.4ha, including the centre of the Cổ Loa Citadel and subordinate constructions at Cổ Loa, Dục Tú, Việt Hùng and Uy Nỗ communes in the district.

Cổ Loa Citadel was built during the end of the Hồng Bàng Dynasty (about 257 BC), about 20km to the north of today’s Hà Nội.

It is a place of worship for King An Dương Vương and Princess Mỵ Châu, who are mentioned in the legends that have been passed down many generations.

According to folklore, An Dương Vương founded the ancient Vietnamese state of Âu Lạc and chose Cổ Loa as the capital city.

The centre is tasked with managing construction investment and restoration of the relic site; taking prime responsibility and coordinating with relevant agencies to research and implement archaeological excavations; collecting and displaying materials related to the relic site; strengthening communication on the site; building rules and regulations on managing and protecting the site as well as tourism activities in the area.

It will collaborate with the local departments of tourism, culture, and education to implement the project.

Accordingly, an exhibition centre will open highlighting the value and history of the site. More tours and visitor programmes will be established.

Trần Việt Anh, director of the Thăng Long – Hà Nội Preservation Centre, said that last year, with support from the scientific research and consulting council for Hà Nội’s Cổ Loa and ancient citadel preservation, the centre had fulfilled its mission to solve problems in researching and preserving the heritage.

He has asked the capital city’s cultural and historical management agencies to accelerate the preservation and restoration of Cổ Loa Citadel to ensure the original value of the city’s historical relics. — VNS