The meeting was attended by five managers and experts who contributed considerably to UNESCO’s recognizing the citadel.

On August 1, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee issued a resolution recognizing the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a world heritage site. This was considered to be a precious gift for Hanoi on the threshold of its millennial anniversary.

During the meeting that lasted more than one hour, the guests fielded questions from the portal audience about the citadel, its recognition by UNESCO and the process of compiling dossiers for such recognition.

Tong Trung Tin, Head of the Vietnam Archaeological Institute, said the site is of historical significance as it used to be the seat of power for three centuries and the capital of the Kingdom of Dai Viet (former name of Vietnam) for eight centuries.

The relic represents all the cultural values of the nation, he added.

Meanwhile, Pham Sanh Chau, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, said the fact of Thang Long Royal Citadel becoming a world heritage site brings Vietnam both national pride and economic benefits. UNESCO has calculated the trademark value of a world heritage title at half a million dollars and 10 million visitors.

Seeking the recognition of the citadel as a global property was an arduous process but it will be much harder to preserve this site.