On February 10, 2026, the Thăng Long–Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre held a re-enactment of the traditional "Tống cựu Nghinh tân" (Farewell to the Old Year, Welcome the New Year) ritual at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. The programme recreated a series of Lunar New Year court ceremonies once observed in the royal palace of ancient Thăng Long, symbolising wishes for national prosperity, peace, and a prosperous life for the people. — VNA/VNS Photo

SEOUL — The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has approved Việt Nam's long-term vision for the conservation and restoration of the central axis of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.

The decision was adopted on Thursday during the committee's 48th session held in the Republic of Korea. Chair of the Committee Lee Byong Hyun formally approved Decision 48 COM 7B.25 on the vision for the restoration and conservation of the central axis of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, endorsing Việt Nam's strategic framework for preserving the site.

The committee commended Việt Nam for fulfilling the commitments it has made since the citadel was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, as well as for implementing recommendations from the committee and its advisory bodies.

It also praised the country's efforts to preserve the site's cultural, historical and social values, transforming the imperial citadel into a space for public engagement, cultural exchange and historical education. The committee further welcomed the long-term vision as an important basis for the proposed restoration of Kính Thiên (Honouring the Heavens) Palace in line with the approved conservation strategy.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngô Lê Văn, Chairman of the Việt Nam National Commission for UNESCO, addressed the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in the Republic of Korea on July 23. — VNA/VNS Photo

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngô Lê Văn, Chairman of the Việt Nam National Commission for UNESCO, described the committee's decision as an important milestone. He said members had highly valued Việt Nam's responsible cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), noting that the country had complied with the World Heritage Convention, honoured its commitments and continued to promote the site's outstanding universal value.

Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, said the approved dossier was significant not only for Việt Nam but also for the wider international heritage community. He described it as a model of cooperation between a State Party, UNESCO and its advisory bodies, offering valuable experience for other countries while demonstrating new approaches to heritage conservation and promotion.

The Thăng Long Imperial Citadel served as Việt Nam's political centre for 13 consecutive centuries and remains one of the nation's most important historical symbols. Approval of the conservation vision clears the way for continued restoration of the site's central axis, helping revive its historical landscape, strengthen awareness of Việt Nam's cultural heritage and meet the aspirations of both present and future generations.

On the sidelines of the committee session, Ngô Lê Văn met UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Nayef H. Al-Fayez, World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo, ICOMOS President Teresa Patricio, ICOMOS Director-General Céline Noguès-Weber, and Tim Badman, Head of the World Heritage Programme at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The meetings focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing Việt Nam's heritage nomination and conservation dossiers.

During the meetings, leaders of UNESCO, ICOMOS and IUCN praised Việt Nam's active contributions to the organisations' governing mechanisms and its responsible implementation of the World Heritage Convention. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue supporting Việt Nam in conserving and promoting its World Heritage sites and welcomed the country's plan to host the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity in Hanoi in September 2026 as a platform for sharing conservation experience.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Vũ Thu Hà thanked UNESCO and ICOMOS for their support during the preparation of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel conservation dossier. She emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue and mutual trust, expressing hope for continued cooperation in preserving and promoting the site's heritage values.

Vice Chairman of the Hải Phòng People's Committee Nguyễn Minh Hưng and Vice Chairman of the Quảng Ninh People's Committee Nguyễn Văn Công also reaffirmed their commitment to conserving Việt Nam's two trans-provincial heritage sites – the Yên Tử–Vĩnh Nghiêm–Côn Sơn, Kiếp Bạc Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, and Hạ Long Bay–Cát Bà Archipelago. They pledged to fully implement the World Heritage Committee's recommendations and continue working closely with ICOMOS and IUCN to balance heritage conservation with sustainable development. — VNA/VNS