Historians, archaeologists and other scholars are calling for the setting up of an archaeological map of Hanoi to prevent rapid development from encroaching into archaeological sites.
Preservation plan sought [Link no longer active]
Viet Nam News, 28 May 2010
Ha Noi is now struggling to harmonise the conservation of its heritage with new development projects.
Construction of the contentious new road linking Van Cao Street and West Lake has been halted following the unearthing of 1,000-old Ly-Tran and Le dynasty artefacts on Hoang Hoa Tham Street.
Archaeologists said the new road, which engineers were aiming to complete in time for celebrations of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi, ploughed though parts of the old citadel wall which contained priceless artefacts dating back to the dynasties of Nguyen (1802-1945), Le (1428-1788), Tran (1225-1400) and Ly (1010-1225).
“The historical value of the Thang Long citadel is as important as that of the Co Loa citadel built by King An Duong Vuong (about 275BC), which is located in Dong Anh District, some 20km to the north of Ha Noi’s centre,” said professor Trinh Sinh from the Archaeological Institute.
Professor Vu Van Quan, from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said construction workers had destroyed a huge part of the old citadel wall.
Road building was halted for three days due to complaints by local residents, but construction work is now continuing.
