Promotion Space for the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel and the Cổ Loa Relic Site in Provins, France

On 6 July 2025, the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with the Medieval Town of Provins, inaugurated the Promotion Space for the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel and the Cổ Loa Relic Site at the historic Saint-Ayoul Church in Provins, France. This marks the first milestone in a new phase of cooperation between the two heritage sites, with an expanded and enhanced presentation introducing the Cổ Loa National Special Relic Site to the public in Provins.

Photo 1: Opening ceremony of the Promotion Space for the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel and the Cổ Loa Relic Site in the Medieval Town of Provins.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Olivier Lavenka – Mayor of Provins; Mr. Đinh Toàn Thắng – Ambassador of Vietnam to France; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh – Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO; Ms. Lê Thị Hồng Vân – Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hạnh – Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Quảng Ninh Province; together with representatives of the Hạ Long Bay Management Board, the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex Management Board, and the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, who were in France to attend the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee.

The Hanoi People’s Committee and the Île-de-France Regional Council officially established their partnership in 1989. Over more than 35 years, the Hanoi–Île-de-France cooperation has been continuously strengthened across various fields, becoming a model of local-level collaboration between Vietnam and France. This long-standing partnership has generated numerous meaningful and effective activities, programs, and projects in the areas of environment and sustainable development, urban planning, economic development, creativity and research, culture, heritage conservation, and tourism.

Within the cooperation framework between the two cities, the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has carried out a wide range of joint activities in recent years with heritage and tourism management bodies of the Île-de-France region. These include exchanges of expertise, collaborative heritage preservation projects, tourism development initiatives, restoration of French architectural structures within the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel; internships and staff training; and cross-exhibitions between the two heritage sites.

Building on the outcomes of the 2019–2022 cooperation period, on 1 October 2024, the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center signed a new cooperation agreement with the Medieval Town of Provins for the next phase. Key activities include: exhibitions and promotional showcases; tourism promotion; internships and experience exchanges; organization of international scientific seminars and workshops; and technical support for enhancing the value of the Cổ Loa National Special Relic Site.

Photo 2: Delegates visiting the Promotion Space.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mayor Olivier Lavenka emphasized: Cổ Loa was the first capital, laying the foundation for the earliest Vietnamese state. The Thăng Long Imperial Citadel represents its continuation, marking the strong development of the Đại Việt medieval state. Both heritage sites served as national power centers in the past and carry profound symbolic and historical significance. This event demonstrates the vitality of the cooperation between Provins and the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, as well as the shared aspiration to bring heritage to life—across borders—in a spirit of dialogue, exchange, and mutual respect.

Ambassador Đinh Toàn Thắng stated that the expanded Promotion Space for the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel and the Cổ Loa Relic Site reaffirms the practical and effective cooperation between the two heritage sites in promoting cultural heritage values, serving as a model for Vietnam–France local partnerships.

Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Quang, Director of the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, noted that the Cổ Loa Promotion Space in Provins marks the beginning of a new cooperation phase between the two institutions. Building on the Promotion Space for the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel established in 2022, the Center has updated and added new content, images, and video clips showcasing the Cổ Loa National Special Relic Site under the theme “Cổ Loa – A Land of Legends”. The display consists of three standees presenting the historical values, monuments, and artifacts of Cổ Loa; its intangible cultural heritage (festivals, cuisine, customs); and the dragon imagery found at the Cổ Loa site. The exhibition is supplemented by video clips, QR codes, communication materials, and souvenirs.

Photo 3: Replica artifacts from the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel displayed within the Promotion Space.

Alongside the implementation of the Promotion Space in Provins, both sides have launched a joint media promotion plan. This includes collaboration in compiling, editing, and sharing posts and images about the Medieval Town of Provins on the official social media platforms of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel (Facebook, website, YouTube), and vice versa; enhancing communication effectiveness through cross-linking the official websites of both parties; and producing bilingual (Vietnamese–French) brochures and leaflets featuring distinctive images of the two heritage sites.

The cooperation between the Thăng Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center and the Medieval Town of Provins continues to deepen, with practical and meaningful activities aimed at preserving and promoting the shared heritage of humanity.

Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi