Wall discovered within the Thang Long Citadel, Tuoi Tre News, 20111216

600-year-old wall found at heritage site Tuoi Tre News, 15 December 2011

A 600-year-old wall dating back to the 15th century Le So Dynasty [...]]]> Archaeologists discover the remains of a 600-year-old wall within the compound of the World-heritage listed Thang Long Citadel.

600-year-old wall found at heritage site
Tuoi Tre News, 15 December 2011

A 600-year-old wall dating back to the 15th century Le So Dynasty has been discovered inside Hanoi’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage Site.

The wall is located near the Van Cao – Ho Tay area.

The remaining part of the construction shows that the original wall could reach 8 m in height and was well constructed, an archaeologist said.

Full story here.

Coffin containing a mummified woman from Dong Nai province, Vietnam Net Bridge 20110922

Secrets of mummies in Vietnam Vietnam Net Bridge, 22 September 2011

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the southern province [...]]]> Vietnam Net Bridge has a feature on mummified remains that have been discovered by archaeologists in recent times.

Secrets of mummies in Vietnam
Vietnam Net Bridge, 22 September 2011

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the southern province of Dong Nai has announced the discovery of a mummified woman in an ancient tomb in Cau Xeo commune in Long Thanh district on September 16, 2011.

The department was excavating an ancient tomb site for clearance, to facilitate construction of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay highway road, when they unearthed the 200-year-old mummy.

The excavation team was led by Professor Pham Duc Manh from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities and renowned archeologist Do Dinh Truat. The mummified remains of the woman as well as its coffin have been preserved and brought to the museum.

Ancient well found in Hanoi, Viet Nam News 20110420

Medieval well unearthed in Ha Noi Viet Nam News, 20 April 2011

Two ancient tombs unearthed in Hanoi’s new urban center Vietnam Net Bridge, 20 [...]]]> A medieval well has been unearthed in Hanoi, near the site where two brick tombs were discovered earlier this month.

Medieval well unearthed in Ha Noi
Viet Nam News, 20 April 2011

Two ancient tombs unearthed in Hanoi’s new urban center
Vietnam Net Bridge, 20 April 2011

A well that was built with bricks that were made during the 9th and 10th century was discovered at an archaeological site in Ha Noi’s Dong Ngac Commune.

The well was discovered while the archaeologists were working on excavating two tombs that were built during the first century and the fourth-sixth century that were unearthed earlier this month.

More than a week later, the archaeologists discovered 27 objects including pottery, iron nails, a broken copper bowl and a glass string.

A pottery vase that is shaped like a rooster is considered to be the most valuable artefact that was discovered.

Damage to [...]]]> Custodians of the Thang Long Citadel are worried that the recent damage to the ruins will prompt Unesco to revoke the world heritage listing, particularly during a scheduled inspection in June. Parts of the protective wall and soil layers were damaged as a result of construction at an adjacent plot of land.

UNESCO to inspect Thang Long Royal Citadel in June
Vietnam Net Bridge, 14 April 2011

Ass. Prof, Dr. Do Trung Tin said that the institute anticipated the possible impacts caused by the construction of the National Assembly building on the citadel before the project was implemented. The institute asked the management board of the National Assembly building project to work together to preserve the heritage.

According to Dr. Tin, the project management board received the institute’s recommendations and warnings but it still carried out the project in its own way.

The board didn’t attend the meeting on April 7 to seek measures to deal with cracks and sinking caused by its project to the ancient citadel, which had representatives of the National Cultural Heritage Council, Hanoi authorities, the Cultural Heritage Department and the Institute of Archaeology.

Tin said that the Center for Preservation of Co Loa Relic and Thang Long Royal Citadel would report the case to the Hanoi government and ask Hanoi to report to the Ministry of Construction and the Prime Minister.

The expert said he is very worried about the ancient citadel because the UNESCO always keeps an eye on every impact to the heritage. “This June, UNESCO will inspect the Thang Long Royal Citadel,” he said.

Damage to the Thang Long Citadel Ruins, Vietnam Net Bridge 20110412

Thang Long Royal [...]]]> Hanoi’s  Thang Long Citadel sustained some damaged when construction works at an adjacent site caused a protective wall to be damaged and mud flowed in. The citadel has over 1,000 years of history and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Thang Long Royal Citadel cracked and sunk
Vietnam Net Bridge, 12 April 2011

UNESCO to inspect Thang Long Royal Citadel in June
Vietnam Net Bridge, 14 April 2011

The construction of the National Assembly House has affected the archaeological site in Thang Long Royal Citadel at N0 18, Hoang Dieu Street, Hanoi.

According to the Institute for Archaeology, a section of the wall to protect the northern area of the relic collapsed while the structure of soil layers of the relic was broken.

Mud water has overflowed from the National Assembly House project to the relic.

The Institute for Archaeology said that the landmark of the relic has been broken. The National Assembly House project also caused the relic to sink, affecting the preservation of this important relic.

Excavated in 2003 with hundreds of valuable items of the Dynasties of Ly, Tran, etc., the Thang Long Royal Citadel was recognized by the UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage in August 2010.

Brick tombs excavated in Hanoi, Vietnam News 20110407

Site workers dig up ancient Ha Noi tombs Viet Nam News, 07 April 2011

Two tombs dating to AD100-200 have been discovered in Ha Noi’s Dong Ngac Commune, the Vietnamese Association of [...]]]> Archaeologists uncover two brick tombs dating from the early centuries CE in Hanoi.

Site workers dig up ancient Ha Noi tombs
Viet Nam News, 07 April 2011

Two tombs dating to AD100-200 have been discovered in Ha Noi’s Dong Ngac Commune, the Vietnamese Association of Archaeology said.

Building workers unearthed a tomb 2m below ground by chance last Friday. They immediately reported the find to local authorities.

When archaeologists started excavating the site they discovered a second smaller tomb dating back to the 4th-6th century.

Co Loa Citadel, Vietnam Net Bridge 20110407

Co Loa ancient citadel [...]]]> The site of an ancient Vietnamese citadel has been suggested for inclusion into the World Heritage register. The Co Loa Citadel situated north of Hanoi was established around 200 BCE, and a number of Bronze Dong Son objects have also been found there.

Co Loa ancient citadel proposed as world cultural heritage
Vietnam Net Bridge, 07 April 2011

The Center for Preservation of Co Loa Relics – Thang Long Ancient Citadel has asked permission from the Hanoi authorities and related ministries to compile the file of Co Loa relic to submit to the UNESCO for recognition as a world cultural heritage.

The center’s director Nguyen Van Son said that if the proposal is approved, the center will compile the file immediately. The UNESCO will make a decision 18 months after it receives the file.

Son said many domestic and foreign experts highly appreciate the cultural and historical values of the Co Loa Relic so it is highly possible for the relic to be recognized as a world cultural heritage.

Hanoi’s ancient gate wears new coat Vietnam Net Bridge, 08 January 2011

A project to restore the O Quan Chuong (Quan Chuong Gate) in Hanoi’s Old Quarters saw [...]]]> This story from the Vietnam Net Bridge has images of the restored Quan Chong Gate, which had completed its first phase of restoration last week.

Hanoi’s ancient gate wears new coat
Vietnam Net Bridge, 08 January 2011

A project to restore the O Quan Chuong (Quan Chuong Gate) in Hanoi’s Old Quarters saw its first phase accomplished on January 4.

The project was initiated in August 2009, with an investment of US$74,500 provided by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. The foundation has provided funding for nine heritage preservation projects in Vietnam since 2001.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the US Ambassador to Vietnam, Michael Michalak, expressed his deep admiration for Vietnam’s diverse traditions and artistic heritages.

“O Quan Chuong is not only a landmark of the ancient city of Thang Long, but a symbol of the spirit and resilience of the people of Hanoi” said Ambassador Michalak. “It is my hope that the gate will stand for 1,000 years and beyond as a symbol of the friendship between the US and Vietnam.”

Excavations at Thang Long Citadel, Dec 2009

Hanoi receives 215 objects excavated from Thang Long Citadel Saigon Giai Phuong, 05 January 2011

The [...]]]> Some 215 artefacts excavated from the Thang Long Citadel in Hanoi were presented to the Hanoi’s People’s Committee. The artefacts represent the range of historical phases excavated from the site.

Hanoi receives 215 objects excavated from Thang Long Citadel
Saigon Giai Phuong, 05 January 2011

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences on Tuesday handed over 215 objects excavated from the Thang Long Citadel archaeological site, to the Hanoi People’s Committee.

The objects are displayed in a showroom on the first floor of the Department of Operation’s headquarter in Hanoi.