Ancient Citadels of Thang Long and Co Loa Highlighted at French Exhibition in Vietnam
In the picturesque town of Provins, France, the Prieure Saint-Ayoul Monastery recently opened its doors to an extraordinary exhibition, celebrating the heritage of Vietnam's Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Cổ Loa ancient citadel. This cultural event, a symbol of the enduring partnership between Ha Noi and the Ile-de-France region, is a testament to the commitment of both parties to preserve and promote world heritage for future generations.
The partnership between Ha Noi and Ile-de-France, established in 1989, has grown into a robust cooperative relationship, spanning various fields, including environment, sustainable development, urban planning, economic development, innovation, culture, heritage, and tourism. The current exhibition at Provins is a prime example of this collaboration, offering immersive displays of images, videos, and rare artifacts from Thang Long and Cổ Loa, enhanced with digital features to explore intangible heritage like festivals and traditional customs.
One of the key aspects of this partnership is the promotion of tourism. By showcasing these ancient capitals, the exhibition aims to increase tourism between Vietnam and France, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral ties. The event also focuses on cultural exchange and education, allowing visitors to engage with Vietnam's rich history and cultural practices.
Recent initiatives have incorporated digitalization, making Vietnamese heritage more accessible globally. The Thang Long - Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre, working with Provins, has refreshed the content and added digital features to enhance interactivity. Highlights include interactive digital content, QR code access, and multimedia presentations.
The Thang Long and Cổ Loa exhibition, running from July 2025 to December 2026, is a significant milestone in the cultural partnership between Ha Noi and the Ile-de-France region. The opening ceremony was attended by Vietnam's Ambassador to France, Đinh Toàn Thắng, Việt Nam's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh, and representatives from various Vietnamese localities.
Provins Tourism Director-General Laurence Marchal stated that showcasing Thang Long at the Prieure Saint-Ayoul enriches the experience and deepens cultural ties. Jean Francois Robin, a local resident, praised the initiative, saying that most local people now appreciate Hanoi and its Thang Long Imperial Citadel thanks to a 2022 exhibition.
The partnership between Ha Noi and the Ile-de-France region continues to evolve, with the 2025-27 phase outlined in a cooperation agreement signed on October 1, 2024. This phase includes heritage exhibitions, academic forums, and technical assistance to further bring into play the values of Cổ Loa, a special national relic site. It also includes training and experience sharing.
The Prieure Saint-Ayoul Monastery, which welcomes over 1.2 million visitors annually, is the perfect venue for this extraordinary exhibition. This year's event builds on the promotional effort launched in 2022, aiming to deepen mutual understanding, boost tourism, and solidify bilateral ties. The exhibition serves as a vivid symbol of the Vietnam-France friendship.
The ongoing partnership between Ha Noi and Ile-de-France is leveraging digital technology to expand access to Vietnamese heritage. For instance, the Thang Long-Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre, in collaboration with Provins, has enhanced interactivity in the current exhibition by incorporating QR codes and multimedia presentations.
This one-of-a-kind exhibition at the Prieure Saint-Ayoul Monastery, which focuses on Vietnamese cultural heritage, is not only a testament to this partnership's commitment to cultural exchange and education but also an initiative aimed at fostering mutual understanding, boosting tourism, and strengthening bilateral ties between Ha Noi and the Ile-de-France region, reminiscent of an AI-assisted guided tour through Vietnam's rich history.
