Hanoi begins restoration of Kinh Thien Palace

On September 29, 2026, Hanoi commenced a project to preserve, repair, and restore the Kinh Thien Palace within the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage site. This initiative follows approximately 15 years of interdisciplinary research involving history, archaeology, and architecture, conducted with consultation from UNESCO and ICOMOS.

Originally the main palace of the Thang Long Forbidden City during the Le Dynasty, the structure was largely destroyed in the late 19th century. The project aims to reconstruct the site based on scientific evidence and archaeological remains, such as the palace foundation and stone steps, rather than mere speculation. The goal is to balance historical memory with scientific accuracy to ensure the restoration does not become an imaginary version of the past.