A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 29 September 2026 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to mark the official start of the Kinh Thien Palace restoration project. General Secretary and President To Lam attended the event alongside senior political figures, including Standing Secretary of the Central Committee Tran Cam Tu and Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Tran Duc Thang. Representatives from UNESCO were also present, including UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo and Head of UNESCO Delegation in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker.

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel served as the historical centre of imperial power. Kinh Thien Palace occupied the central position within the Forbidden City, acting as the primary venue for court ceremonies and diplomatic affairs between the 15th and 18th centuries. The restoration scheme forms the initial phase of a broader strategy to restore the central imperial axis by 2035, aligning with the 100-year vision for the Hanoi Capital City Master Plan.

The project relies on 15 years of interdisciplinary research spanning archaeology, architecture, history, and intangible heritage. Scientific guidelines and principles of authenticity set out by UNESCO and ICOMOS have guided the development of the restoration strategy.

Sun Group has been appointed as the contractor responsible for executing the construction works. The group previously completed heritage restoration tasks in the capital, including work on the Security Guard Barracks Gate near the Ho Guom Opera House and the Northern Palace.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Tran Minh Son, Member of the Founding Council and Standing Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sun Group, expressed: “ Standing at Thang Long Imperial Citadel – the sacred heart of the thousand-year-old capital, once the centre of the Forbidden City, Sun Group would like to express its honour and pride in being entrusted by the Party, the State, and the City with the opportunity to implement this project. We clearly understand that this is a great responsibility, an extremely important and deeply meaningful task, because every brick and every stone here contains the memories of more than 1300 years of history. Sun Group commits with all responsibility and dedication to complete the project, ensuring absolute quality and progress, worthy of the trust placed in us and the heritage left by our ancestors.”

The commencement coincides with the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity Conference held in Vietnam from 27 September to 1 October 2026. Upon completion, the restored main hall will host intangible cultural heritage practices and cultural tourism activities.