HA NOI (VNS)— A design contest to preserve the Hoang Thanh Thang Long Imperial Citadel's archaeological site on Hoang Dieu Street, was launched in Ha Noi yesterday.

Jointly organised by the Thang Long - Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre, the Ha Noi Department of Architecture Planning and the Institute of Planning and Urban Architecture of the University of Construction, the contest aims to attract winning designs to build a community cultural space that blends with the surrounding landscape and the infrastructure of Ba Dinh.

Organisers said the contest also aims to promote the Thang Long Citadel and the capital to domestic and overseas audiences and develop tourism.

The selection panel will be made up of local officials from the Ha Noi People's Committee, the Ministries of Construction and Culture, Sports and Tourism, the UNESCO representative office in Ha Noi and the Viet Nam Architecture Association.

The panel will review submissions until April 10 this year with all designs to be displayed at an exhibition on April 30.

The contest will award 6 cash prizes measuring a total of VND300 million (nearly US$15,000).

The Hoang Thanh Thang Long Citadel was built in the 11th century under the reign of King Ly Thai To. The site measures more than 18,000sq.m site, including the Ha Noi Ancient Citadel and an archaeological site.

Dr Bui Minh Tri, from the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute, said researchers and archaeologists over the past decade had discovered valuable artifacts from different periods, including bricks, band tiles and ornamental tiles with images of dragons and phoenixes.

Archaeologists have also recovered pieces from 95 separate architectural monuments, 22 wells and 31 sewers. Seven foundations of protective walls, lakes and embankments have also been found.

"Unique ceramic artifacts from Viet Nam and foreign countries made in different eras are on display. This evidence confirms the prosperity and trade networks of ancient Thang Long," Tri said. — VNS