The Imperial citadel of Thang Long was the hub of Vietnamese military power for over 1000 years and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, and then reopened to visitors in 2012.

The Citadel is a complex that comprises the royal enclosure, first built during the Ly Dynasty, and eventually, the Nguyen Dynasty. In the 19th century, the palaces and structures in Thang Long were in disrepair due to the French Conquest and it wasn’t until the 21st century that the ruins were systemically excavated. Many artefacts and items dating back from 6th-20th centuries were found, including the foundations of ancient roads, old palaces, imperial gates, ponds and wells, as well as intriguing military command bunkers, maps and equipment from the War.