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The Cultural Heritage Complex of Thang Long - Hanoi

Les noms des biens figurent dans la langue dans laquelle les Etats parties les ont soumis.

Viet Nam (Asie et pacifique)

Date de soumission : 21/06/2006
Critères:
Catégorie : Culturel
Soumission préparée par :
Ministry of Culture and Information
Etat, province ou région :
Hanoi
Ref.: 5069

Description

Thang Long, which is Ha Noi's centre nowadays, was chosen by Ly Thai To, the founding king of Ly Dynasty, as the capital of Dai Viet Kingdom (nowadays Vietnam) since Autumn of 1010. Thang Long means ascending dragon, symbolizing the will and thirst for independence of the Vietnamese people after more than one thousand years of Chinese domination. Since then, Thang Long was almost continuously the capital city of Dai Viet Kingdom through different reigns: Ly (1010 - 1225), Tran (1226 - 1397), Early Le (1428 - 1527), Mac (1 572 - 1592), and Le - Trinh (1592 - 1789). Since 1945, it became the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In the periods when it was not the capital, Thang Long still remained a central city in the vast area of Bac Thanh or North Vietnam (1789 - 183 l), Ha Noi Province (1 83 1 - 1888), or of Bac Ky (also known as Tonkin) and the French-niled Federation of Indochina (1 888 - 1945). During the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1943, the capital was rmoved to Hue. In 1945, Ha Noi was chosen by the Government of Democratic Republic of Vietnam as the capital.

Previously, from the 7th to 9th century, under the domination of feudal China, it was also chosen by the ruling governments as Annam Prefecture (An Nam Do ho Phu), which included the North and North Central of present Vietnam.

From 11th to 18th century, as a capital city, Thang Long was constructed to adapt to physical features of the area that endowed with rivers and lakes. The citadel system incorporated three rings of rampart. The outer ring was Dai La Citadel, which ran along Red River in the East, To Lich River in the North and West, and Kim Nguu River in the South. Consequently, Dai La citadel knctioned itself as both an outer defensive rampart for the whole capital city and a complete dyke system. The second ring, known with many names throughout different periods, was nevertheless called in a common name: Hoang Thanh (Imperial Citadel), concentrating central governmental bodies. The third ring was the Forbidden City (Cam Thanh), where the King and royal family's residence located. The architectural structures (system of palaces) were most densely concentrated in the Forbidden City and Imperial City, whose centre was the Can Nguyen Palace (later known as Thien An Palace or Kinh Thien Palace) built on a hillock called Nung Mound. Although slight displacement was observed, in general, the location of citadel rings and architectural structures has remained unchanged over different periods.

The Cultural Heritage Complex of Thang Long - Ha Noi consists of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Thang Long Tu Tran and the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temples of Literature - Imperial College)

1.1. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel (approximately 50 hectares square)

The present relic complex is located in Ba Dinh District, roughly surrounded by Nguyen Tri Phuong, Phan Dinh Phung, Dien Bien Phu, Tran Phu, Hoang Van Thu and Hung Vuong Streets. Relics in the areas of Forbidden City and Imperial Citadel that situated on the central axis of the old citadel are the Cua Bac (North Gate), Hau Lau, Kinh Thien Palace, Doan Mon, Flag Tower and the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street. Relics found on the ground remain relatively intact and have been well preserved. Archaeological artefacts underground have been discovered and studied in many years. Researchers have found out many architectural vestiges and artefacts from the Chinese domination's period ago, Dinh, and Early Le Dynasties) and from the Ly, Tran- Le and Nguyen Dynasties.

Specifically, in the areas of Congress House and Ba Dinh Assembly Hall at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, significant architectural vestiges and artefacts of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel were unearthed.

From December 2002 to the beginning of 2004, Vietnam Archaeology Institute has excavated on a large scale the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu street, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi with total area of 19,000 m2. This is biggest archaeological excavation scale in Vietnam and South East Asia. Here it has been discovered a complex of abundant relics and vestiges from Dai La citadel (VII - IX century) to Thang Long Citadel (XI - XVIII century) and Hanoi citadel (XIX century).

In the whole area, cultural layers appear in all locations with cultural and historical vestiges of Thang Long - Hanoi during the period of 1,300 years of history. In general, the cultural layers often exist in the depth of lm downwards with thickness of 2.0-3.50m. At the location of some excavation holes such as A10 - All, B3 - B9 and D4 - D6 it can be recognized the relics of different periods lay on each other, from the depth of 0.90m to 1.90m that is the cultural layer of Le dynasty from XV century to XVIII century; from the depth of 1.90m- 3m to be the cultural layer of Ly and Tran dynasties XI century to XIV century; depth of 3m - 4.20m, the cultural layer of the North called Dai La period or Pre- Thang Long period (VII-IX century). Anyhow there is a complex and different change among the different cultural layers, but in general it is changed as above mentioned.

In cultural layers, it is always found out architectural vestiges typical for Pre- Thang Long period or Dai La period (VII - IX century), Ly period (XI - XII), Tran period (XI1 - XIV), Le period (XV-XVIII), and Nguyen period. The earliest architectural vestige belongs to Dai La period and latest of Nguyen period.

The numbers of founded vestiges are many but the majority is brick, tile and ceramic wares. In each period the vestiges have a specific feature.

During V-VI century, there are grey red bricks, the boarders printed with olive shape; blue glazed ceramic bowls.

During WI-IX century, there are many bricks, tiles, especially bricks inscribed with Chinese characters "Giang Tay quan" in grey colour; head of the tiles are decorated with the faces of sacred animals, joker, lotus, ...

In the X century, some bricks and tiles are found, typical is the red bricks, the brick surface inscribed in Chinese characters "Dai Viet quoc quan thanh chuyen"; also found out are ridge tiles with statue of bird couple; earthen wares; ...

In Ly dynasty (XI-XI) brick and tile production was strongly developed with various sizes as rectangular and square bricks, the brick face inscribed with Chinese characters "Ly gia de tam Long Thuy Thai Binh tu nien tao" (Made in the 4" year of Long Thuy Thai Binh, the 3th king of the Ly - 1057); some square bricks decorated with lotus, daisy. The ceramic wares in Ly dynasty with beautiful decoration and sharp colours of pearl, white, green enamel ...p roves the high skill of ceramics production techniques in the Ey.

The Tran had continued and developed the artistic of Ly, the ceramic wares with nice decoration of iron brown, white-and-blue colours. The period of the late Le is long and divided into small stages: The beginning of Le, Le-Mac, Restoration of Le.

In the beginning of Le, the typical vestiges are wooden-hammer brick and Yin and Yang tiles with large dimensions, blue-and-white, white ceramic wares of high quality. In the Le - Mac period the tile carved with dragon motif appeared. The dragon motif style in the Le-Mac is almost similar to dragon style carved on the lamp stand in the Mac. On the ceramic wares, the dragon motifs were painted in simple way, not careful in details as in the beginning of Le. Wooden-hammer bricks with medium and small sizes were used both in the Le-Mac and the Restoration of Le. The ceramic wares were abundant but not beautiful as in preceding periods.

Based on the excavation and treatment of items it has been concluded:

This is the first time a complex of relics and items of the central part of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Ha Noi Ancient Citadel have been discovered with continual cultural and physical changes from Dai La Citadel in Duong and Dinh Dynasties - the beginning of Le Dynasty to Thang Long Imperial city - Dong Do - Dong Kinh in Ly, Tran, the beginning of Le, Mac, Restoration of Le and then Hanoi.

This is the relics location of the most significant in the system of capitals of Vietnam in' the Ancient and Medieval ages, the convergence point of history, culture of Thang Long - Hanoi, national history of Vietnam over 13 centuries.

This is the first time in Hanoi as well as in the history of Vietnamese ancient architecture the foundation of a complex of high level architecture has been discovered, especially the architectural vestige of the ancient Thang Long capital.

1.2. Surrounding Architecture Buildings

Together with the foundation of Thang Long, related with the architecture of Thang Long citadel are also the architectures concerned with religion and culture such as Thang Long Tu Tran (Thang Long Four Guzrdian Gods Temples), and the Temple of Literature.

1.2.1. Thang Long Tu jrran:

In the ancient Thang Long it has existed 4 sacred temples, they are Bach Ma (White Horse), Voi Phuc (Kneeling Elephant), Kim Lien, and Quan Thanh (Holy Mandarin). According to the concept of geomancy, these are worship places of the Gods who guard at four main directions (East - West - South - North) of the citadel. These are also benchmarks forming the good layer of earth of the imperial city that have existed in the mind and soul of Vietnamese through many generations. Through many ups and downs of history, the four Temples of Protection Gods have still existed together with the times and become the pride of Lac Hong people.

1.2.1.1 Bach Ma (White Horse) Temple

Bach Ma temple is at 76, Hang Buom street, Hoan Kiem district, Hmoi. This temple worships Logg Do God, titled Quang Loi Bach Ma Dai Vuong (Long Do God means the God of Long Do mountain, also called Nung mountain - the reception location of miraculous air for Thang Long capital. At first the temple was built on the top of Nung mountain. Until Ly dynasty, Nung mountain was chosen for the building of the Imperial city so the temple was moved to I-Iang Buom street to guard at the East of Thang Long capital. The temple had been repaired many times, in 1839 the shrine dedicated to Conhcius was added in the left of the temple and the new Phoenix altar was constructed as place to make offerings to the seasons.

1.2.1.2 Ouan Thanh Temple

The temple was set up when Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thmg Long (1 9: 0). The king had ordered to bring the God's tablets to the location in the Western North' of the citadel called Huyen Thien Tran Vu great temple - the temple to worship Tran Vu God. The temple locates at the crossings of Thanh Nien road and Quan Thanh road protecting for the Noch of Thang Long. In 1893 the temple was renovated as present appearance. Especially there is huge Tran Vu statue made by bronze in 1667 with dimensions of 3.96m high, 3.48m in perimeter and the weight of 3,600kg.

1.2.1.3 Voi Phuc (Kneeling Elephant) Temple

It has been called Voi Phuc temple as there are two kneeling elephants right at the entrance of the temple. This temple built to worship Linh Lang Dai Vuong God. It locates in the West of Thang Long capital (now it is in Cau Giay ward, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi).

1.2.1.4 Kim Lien Communal House

This temple is in Phuong Lien ward, Dong Da district, Hanoi. It is the altar for Cao Son God who as legend helped Son Tinh to gain victory over Thuy Tinh and later helped King Le Tuong Duc squash the rebellion to restore the Le dynasty. Therefore King Le had the temple made to worship Cao Son as protection in South of Thang Long, together with Tran Vu in the North, Bach Ma in the East, and Ling Lang in the West forming Thang Long Tu tran (Four Guards)

1.2.2 Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is considered to be the first university in Vietnam. It is an ancient architecture, built with fairly big scale that still exists until present time in Hanoi capital.

Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) had been built in October 1073 to worship Confbcius, the founder of Confucianism and the Chu Van An - headmaster of Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial College) - representing for the high moral philosophy and ethics of Vietnamese education.

In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial College) had been constructed next after Van Mieu. At first it was the college for only princes and then it also collected the best students in the whole country. The whole area is fairly large with about 1km of brick fence surrounding.

Van Mieu looks at the South with 5 zones divided by partial walls. The first zone starts from the main entrance with Chinese characters "Van Mieu Mon" (Van Mieu 'Gate) on the tope of the entrance gate, under the gate curve is a couple of stone dragons with motif style of Early Le (15 century). The middle road leads to the gate Dai Trung Mon - the beginning of the second zone with two small gates in both sides. The same road takes to Khue Van Cac where good poems or articles were analyzed and commented. The third zone from Khue Van to gate Dai Thanh Mon with a square lake in the middle called Thien Quang Tinh (Pure and bright heaven well) with walls surrounding.

Both sides of the lake are the two stele areas built to write down the names of students who get the doctorate. At present there are 82 steles, the oldest steles are the ones of the recording in the exam in 1442, the latest is in 1779. These are the most precious items in the relics. After Dai Thanh gate is the fourth zone with a large yard and Ta Vu, Huu Vu in both sides as the place to worship the famous Confucius scholars.. At the end of the yard are the Dai Bsi and E-Iau Cung houses with beautiful and splendid architecture.

There are some more precious items such as the bell casted in 1768, the stone crescent gong inscribed with an article mentioning the utility of this musical instrument. Van Mieu is the top diverse and abundant complex of relics in Hanoi. Now Hanoi has founded here the "Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Centre" to display the use of this relics in cultural activities for the Capital. Especially, in 1999 the City has constructed Thai Hoc house. This is a big project to welcome 990 years and the coming 1000 years of the foundation of Thang Long - Hanoi.

In accordance with UNESCO's Protocol in 1972 on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritages, The Cultural Heritage Complex of Thang Long - Ha Noi has obtained the criterion I, II, IV applied by UNESCO for the evaluating the candidate relics into the list of World Heritages.

Valeur universelle exceptionnelle

Satements of authenticity and/or integrity

Thang Long imperial city and other surrounding architectural works have long history of protection and development and should be protected under Vietnamese Law on Cultural Heritages. At present The Cultural Heritage Complex of Thang Long - Ha Noi is controlled by Department of Cuittlre and Infonmtion of Ha Noi city.

The preservation works for the Cultural Heritage Complex of Tnang Long - Ha Noi has been plannsd and invested with long tern objectives.

The archaeological relics at 18 Hoang Dieu street has been taken into account by Vietnamese Government to carry out the excavation work, adjustment of the relics and making the protection roof, temporary exhibition house of excavated items.

Comparison with other similar properties

Based on relics, items found at the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu street and relics of architectures existing on the ground show that the politic centre of Vietnam had been right at this location over 12 centuries, from An Nam La Thanh at the begiming of IX century to capitals in the Ly, Tran, Le in XI-XVIII centuries. The central government had been founded here from very early and so far all of this area is still the centre of pclwer of the Vietnamese State (National Assembly, Office of the Central Committee of the Party, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Investment and Planning, ..). In the world there are many relics with better status and older than this relics but it is very rare thzt it has existed and continued more than thousands of years.

The Cultural Heritage Complex of Thang Locg - Ha Noi can be compared with such World Cultural Heritages as The Complex of Hue Monuments (Central Vietnam) and The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (Japan). As compared to Nara Palace, Thang Long imperial city relics and other surrounding architectures becomes the complex of historical, architectural, and archaeological relics together with the combination of natural landscape. One interesting point is that around 1,300 years ago, Nara in Japan and Thmg Long (then Dai La) in Viet nam were both the centre of politics, culture of Japan and Vietnam respectively. Japan is going to celebrate the 1,300 years of Nara capital, and Vietnam is going to celebrate the 1,000 years of Thang Long. Those significant times are both in 2010.