Presidents of Vietnam, Philippines tour Thang Long Imperial Citadel

President Vo Van Thuong and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a world cultural heritage site in Hanoi, on Tuesday as part of the latter's state visit to Vietnam.

The two leaders attended the "Happy Tet 2024" program that is taking place ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival at the Central Sector of the citadel.

President Thuong introduced the traditional Tet of Vietnam, including its cultural values, folk games, and dishes, to his guest. They also talked to local people and artisans of craft villages from across Vietnam who are reenacting the traditional Tet spaces of Hanoi, the central and southern regions, and ethnic minority groups.

Later, the presidents took a tour of relics at the imperial citadel, including Doan Mon – one of the main entrances to the citadel – with archaeological structures, the exhibition hall of antiquities and some items recognized as national treasures, and Kinh Thien Palace that used to be the venue of the most important ceremonies, receptions for foreign envoys, and discussions of national issues of feudal dynasties in the past.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, built by feudal dynasties in different periods of Vietnam's history, is one of the most important relic sites in the country. In 2010, the World Heritage Committee recognized the citadel's Central Sector as a world cultural heritage site.