Kinh Thien Palace Restoration Project Breaks Ground: CONINCO Honored to Serve as Supervision Consultant for the Capital’s Special Heritage Site

On the morning of September 29, 2026, at the World Heritage Site of the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, the city of Hanoi held the groundbreaking ceremony for the investment project on the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Kinh Thien Palace. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended and performed the groundbreaking ritual.

The ceremony marks a historic milestone in preserving and promoting the value of the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, honoring the depth of the capital’s history and culture and creating a special highlight on the national and international heritage map. The Center of International Cooperation & Consultancy (T.3C) of Consultant and Inspection Joint Stock Company of Construction Technology and Equipment (CONINCO., JSC) is honored to serve as the project’s supervision consultant.

The ceremony was attended by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, together with Politburo members Tran Cam Tu, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat; Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Organization Commission; Trinh Van Quyet, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; and Tran Duc Thang, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee; as well as Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister.
Representing ministries, agencies, the city of Hanoi and international organizations were Party Central Committee members Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Dinh Khang, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; and Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee; along with Ngo Le Van, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; Nguyen Thanh Quang, Director of the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center; Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; and Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative and Head of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam.
CONINCO was represented by Dr. Ha Minh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Le Nguyen Giap, Deputy General Director.

A Historic Milestone in Restoring the “Heart” of the Thang Long Citadel

In the history of ancient Vietnamese architecture, Kinh Thien Palace holds the highest place. It was the main hall of the Forbidden City under the Le Dynasty, begun in 1428, the first year of the Thuan Thien era under King Le Thai To, and completed on a grand scale under King Le Thanh Tong, directly on the foundations of the main halls of the Ly and Tran dynasties. From the 15th to the 18th century, it was the seat of supreme power and the most important royal ceremonial space of Dai Viet, where grand court audiences were held, foreign envoys were received and major affairs of state were decided.

Through the upheavals of history, Kinh Thien Palace did not survive intact. Today only its foundation and the 15th-century dragon-carved stone staircases, a National Treasure, remain. The groundbreaking therefore carries special significance, reflecting the strong political resolve of the Party, the State and the city of Hanoi to gradually restore the sacred central axis of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

The project is the result of more than 15 years of persistent archaeological research, study of historical records and international cooperation. It fully incorporates the advisory recommendations of UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), in the spirit of the Nara Document on Authenticity, to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the heritage. This follows the UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s endorsement, at its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea, of the vision for upgrading the Imperial Citadel’s central axis and restoring the Kinh Thien Palace space.

Taking place as Vietnam and UNESCO co-hosted the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity (September 27 – October 1, 2026), the groundbreaking was highly appreciated by Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It was recognized as a model of cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, ICOMOS and the United Nations system in researching, discussing and conserving the heritage of humanity.

CONINCO Commits to Supervision That Meets Rigorous Technical Standards and Heritage Conservation Principles

Unlike civil buildings or modern infrastructure, the restoration of Kinh Thien Palace demands an absolutely precise blend of contemporary construction engineering and traditional architectural art. In line with the Hanoi leadership’s guiding principle for the project, “not to do it fast, but to do it right, scientifically and carefully,” the authenticity and safety of the heritage must never be traded for speed. The entire construction process must strictly follow the procedures for special national relic sites and keep the underground archaeological remains intact.

Being entrusted as supervision consultant for a technically complex project of national and international stature once again affirms CONINCO’s reputation, depth of experience and broad expertise. Alongside strategic infrastructure and key national projects, taking part in this special cultural heritage project at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long further extends CONINCO’s footprint on the country’s landmark works.

Deeply aware of the pride and responsibility that come with a priceless national heritage, CONINCO’s leadership is committed to deploying experienced experts and engineers and to working closely with the investor, the project management board, scientists, historians, archaeologists and all participating parties to carefully supervise every work item, technical solution and traditional material. CONINCO is determined to ensure the highest standards of technical quality, aesthetics and safety for this thousand-year-old symbol of Thang Long – Hanoi.