Shared heritage: Images of some World Heritage sites on show at the exhibition.

HA NOI (VNS)— Inspirational displays of photos of ancient World Heritage sites and artefacts from throughout Southeast Asia are being used in an exhibition at the site of the millennium-old Thang Long Citadel.

While standing in the remnants of the ancient citadel, visitors can join an imaginary tour through five more UNESCO World Heritage sites – Angkor and Preah Vihear in Cambodia, Wat Phou in Laos, and My Son and the Ho Dynasty Citadel in Viet Nam.

The idea of the show is to highlight the connections between the sites and populations, in addition to the role of Southeast Asia in global history.

It's the result of co-operation between nine museums related to the six UNESCO sites. "We see the need for sharing information and knowledge about these symbols so that everyone can be aware of their outstanding universal value and of the need for joining in their conservation," said Katherine Muller-Marin, head of UNESCO's Ha Noi Office.

"It is also about enhancing learning opportunities for visitors – and to raise younger generations' interest in cultural heritage."

The first part of the exhibition, Nature and Myth, deals with the representation of nature and life-forces through cultural expressions that often represent a form of symbiosis between indigenous and outside elements.

The second part, Trade and Exchange, looks at the encounters between regional civilisations and the cultural goods they traded.

The third part presents a theme selected by each museum taking part in the exhibition.

"This initiative has been a great opportunity for the World Heritage sites of the three countries to reconnect their shared histories and identify ways to present them to the world," said Marin.

"This process has deepened interpretations of regional heritage," she said.

The exhibition will run for one year at Thang Long Citadel Site Museum, 18 Hoang Dieu Street, Ha Noi. — VNS