The 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi began on October 1 with the presentation of the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate to the Thang Long Royal Citadel Centre.

 

The opening ceremony was attended by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the National Steering Committee for the 1000th anniversary Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Huynh Dam, former senior Party and State leaders plus UNESCO General Director, Irina Bokova.

 

NA Chairman Trong along with other Party and State leaders burnt incense to commemorate the ancestors who contributed to building Thang Long-Hanoi- a capital city for peace and friendship. In 1010, King Ly Thai To issued the royal edict on the transfer of the capital from Hoa Lu to the centre of the Red River Delta.

 

In his opening speech, the Secretary of the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee, Pham Quang Nghi reviewed the memorable landmarks in the capital’s history and expressed his profound gratitude to the ancestors who founded the country.

 

Mr Nghi highlighted the socio-economic achievements Hanoi has recorded during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process while saying that the city is determined to fulfill its development targets, introduce policies for people credited with revolutionary services and active participation in patriotic emulation movements.

 

On the occasion, the Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, on behalf of the Hanoian people, received the UNESCO Certificate recognising the Thang Long Royal Citadel Centre as a World Heritage site from UNESCO General Director, Irina Bokova and UNESCO Chief Representative in Hanoi Khatherine Muller Marin.

 

Ms Irina Bokova said that the anniversary gives Hanoians a chance to express their gratitude and their respect to their ancestors and it is a great honour for the capital to receive the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate for the Thang Long Royal Citadel Centre.

 

 

 (VOVNEWS)