Experts describe value of palace in Thai Binh

A recent international workshop held in the northern province of Thai Binh once again confirmed the value of Lo Giang Palace built during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400).

Experts from domestic institutes and seven foreign scientists from Japan, the Republic of Korea and China gathered on November 30 to review recent excavations and propose preservation plans for the site.

Lo Giang Palace is a system of royal buildings outside Thang Long Citadel that were used to provide accommodation for the king.

Many palaces were built under the Tran reign but not many still exist.

According to researchers, rare materials had been found at Lo Giang Palace that were unlike finds at other Tran palaces including Thien Truong (Nam Dinh province) and Vu Lam (Ninh Binh province).

Scientists from the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies conducted excavations in 2014, 2015 and 2017 at Hong Minh commune in Hung Ha district and discovered various building materials and daily utensils, and the foundations of stone pillars at Thai Temple.

Decorative pattern of a dragon and cloud found at the site (Photo: giaoduc.net)
Decorative pattern of a dragon and cloud found at the site (Photo: giaoduc.net)

This is an important discovery as this is the first time we have found wooden architecture from the Tran Dynasty built on rectangular pillar foundations,” said Prof Bui Minh Tri, rector of the institute. “The remains of the pillars here are very big. It means the pillars must have been huge to hold up a very large building with many floors.”

Tri said the same form of pillars had been found at Thang Long Citadel which were built under the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), but they were much smaller.

Tri said the palace at today’s Tran Temple (Thai Lang) might have used by kings Tran Nhan Tong (1278-1293) and Tran Anh Tong (1293-1314), and was also home to Kien Xuong Palace built under King Tran Hien Tong’s reign (1329-1341), according to records.

Experts confirmed that Lo Giang Palace covered a total area of 554sq.m.

They found various decoration details with dragon figures; pieces of tiles featuring the face of a lion and carving of a Chinese character with the word “King”.

The building must have been an important place, Tri said.

“Lo Giang Palace seems to have been a big and important palace during the Tran Dynasty in the ancient Long Hung Region,” Tri said. “It shows that the area was not only the place where Tran kings started their reigns because it was also used for important national events.”

Nguyen Thi Linh, Vice Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee, said the authorities had assigned Hung Ha district to coordinate with the institute to construct a roof to protect Thai Temple and other remnants unearthed at Lang Sa.

Authorities will compile a dossier to ask the culture ministry for a national level historic relic title for the site and call for investment to preserve the palace.

Lo Giang Palace and Kien Xuong Palace are both mentioned in Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu (The Complete Annals of Dai Viet): “In 1293, the king’s mother passed away in Lo Giang Palace, Long Hung, her body was kept temporarily in Long Hung Palace; …in 1341, King Tran Hien Tong passed away, his body was kept temporarily at Kien Xuong Palace."

Linh said thanks to the discoveries, the province planned to develop the value of the palace and connect overall culture heritage in neighbouring areas for the purpose of socio-economic development of Hung Ha district and Thai Binh province.

VNA

Other News

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

PSNews - The UAE Embassy in Vietnam also confirmed that Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports, and their eligible accompanying family members, are able to get a visa on arrival from June 25, 2026 as long as they meet the above requirements.

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

The festival is part of Hanoi's strategy to boost its cultural industries by transforming cultural heritage into a driver of socio-economic development while preserving and promoting the city's traditional cultural values.

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Nestled among coastal sand dunes in Cam Ranh, the project was conceived with a strong commitment to respecting the natural landscape and harnessing water as its central element. Rather than creating a visually dominant structure, the design blends into the terrain, making use of sand layers, native vegetation and open spaces to strengthen the connection between people and nature.

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Hue is simultaneously stepping up efforts to attract investment into tourism, services and cultural industries. In the first five months of 2026, the city secured more than 19 trillion VND in newly registered investment capital, with projects planned in coastal tourism, lagoon-based ecotourism, cultural spaces along the Perfume River, convention and exhibition centres, night-time economy projects and cultural innovation hubs.

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

With coordinated efforts in planning, infrastructure development, product diversification, human resources training, digital transformation and destination branding, Phu Tho is well-positioned to transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector and a new engine of sustainable growth in the years ahead.

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

As cultural industries and the creative economy gain momentum, AI is proving valuable in improving efficiency, streamlining operations and enabling creators to focus more on artistic content.

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

With its rich agricultural ecosystem, where each region boasts unique produce, culinary traditions, and farming practices, Vietnam is well positioned to develop and expand the farm-to-table model. Cities and provinces, such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Da Nang, Hue, Can Tho, Lam Dong, and Vinh Long, are already embracing the model as part of their green tourism strategies.

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Implemented under Plan 628, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the campaign marks a shift towards a more coordinated and long-term approach to protecting wildlife and natural resources.

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

According to experts, Vietnam needs a systematic and long-term strategy to bring its children’s literature to the world. This includes strong support for authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and copyright specialists, as well as greater participation in international book fairs as part of a cultural industry development strategy.

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Scheduled for June 19-21 at Bong Lai Islet on Tinh Tam Lotus Lake in Phu Xuan ward, one of Hue’s most renowned scenic landmarks and a symbol of royal garden art, the festival draws inspiration from the lotus’s enduring beauty in court culture. The event aims to honour local heritage while offering visitors a distinctive summer tourism experience.

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

At the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, delegates visited the Doan Mon Gate and learnt about the formation and development of the ancient capital through different historical periods at display spaces. They also explored the Kinh Thien Palace’s Dragon Steps (large stone steps with dragon carvings), regarded as the political and ceremonial centre of the imperial citadel during successive Vietnamese dynasties.

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Vietnam's Z121 Vina Pyrotech impressed spectators at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 with a display deeply rooted in national identity. Using modern pyrotechnic technology, the team recreated the image of the palm tree, a symbol of the ancestral land of Phu Tho, before closing with a spectacular synchronised fireworks finale set to the iconic song Noi vong tay lon (Joining Hands Together), drawing enthusiastic applause from audiences.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

The recognition marks the third UNESCO accolade for Phong Nha – Ke Bang, which was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and again in 2015. The latest designation highlights the park's global ecological significance while opening new prospects for conservation and sustainable development.

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Under the Politburo’s Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, Hanoi has been given fresh opportunities to leverage its cultural, historical, tourism and creative assets. The city’s recently approved project on developing the night-time economy for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2045, is expected to create momentum for cultural industry growth while enhancing Hanoi’s standing as a creative and modern city with a distinctive identity.

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

UNESCO presented certificates to 12 newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and 44 others that successfully passed revalidation in Paris on April 27, 2026. Among them, Vietnam’s Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark was once again honoured, reaffirming its outstanding heritage and sustained efforts in preservation and promotion.