Japan’s Nara National ResearchInstitute for Cultural Properties is developing technology to preservethe valuable wooden relics in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.

The institute, in coordination with other researchinstitutes such as Kyoto University, will develop numerous chemicals topreserve the relics that are suitable with the humid weather in Vietnam.

This month, researchers will make a survey on the relics’status quo and study the condition of storehouses in Vietnamese museums.

A research office will also be established at The VietnamForestry University to study the characteristics of ancient trees, theeffectiveness of preservatives and the possibility of employingdifferent wood drying methods.

The ancient Thang Long Citadelwas discovered in 2002 and recognised by the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the worldcultural heritage in 2010.

The site won therecognition thanks to its three outstanding characteristics: the lengthof its cultural history, the continuity of the citadel as a power centreand the variety of relics it contains.

However many precious wooden relics, including pillars and lacquerpaintings, have been damaged during the displaying and preservationperiod due to lack of conservation techniques.-VNA