The exhibition is organised by the National Archives Centre I in collaboration with the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2004 - November 23, 2019).
The exhibition was divided into two parts: Nguyen Dynasty with Thang Long Imperial Citadel – Hanoi, and the French with Hanoi Citadel. The exhibition introduces nearly 100 documents, materials, maps, drawings, typical images of Hanoi Citadel from 1802 to 1945; including a diagram of Hanoi Citadel drawn in 1821-1831; and images of Hanoi Citadel (from the outside).
Especially, at this exhibition, for the first time, documents of the royal approval on official documents of Nguyen Dynasty - World Documentary Heritage are displayed in Thang Long Imperial Citadel. These documents have a special value to the public, historical researchers on the change of Hanoi Citadel under the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial era.
According to the organizing board, under the Nguyen Dynasty,Hanoi Citadel no longer holds a central position but it still plays an important political role. Hanoi Citadel was built by the Nguyen Dynasty in the style of Vauban, on the foundation of the old Le Dynasty citadel. It is also the venue for important celebrations.
Entering the second half of the nineteenth century, the French colonialism seized Hanoi twice in 1873 and 1882. From 1883 to 1897, under the influence of the French, the architecture and function of Hanoi Citadel had many changes. In addition to taking advantage of some old buildings, the French army also built more buildings and barracks to serve as the headquarters of the military. In the early years of the twentieth century, Hanoi was repeatedly planned and expanded to become the capital of the Indochina Union.
