A documentary is set to reveal the secrets of Thang Long Citadel using 3D technology in time to cheer the capital’s 1,000th birthday next year.

A scene from Thang Long-Soaring Dragon.

The 45-minute film Thang Long-Thanh Pho Rong Bay (Thang Long-Soaring Dragon) will explore the architecture, history and culture of the citadel from pre-historic times through the three Ly-Tran-Le dynasties.

It will be screened on Vietnam Television’s channel 1 and Ho Chi Minh Television in June, 2010.

3D technology will be used to create an artist’s impression of what famous buildings in the citadel would have looked like, including Can Nguyen Palace (Ly dynasty); Thien An Palace (Tran dynasty); Kinh Thien Palace (Le dynasty) and Hanh Cung Long Thien (Nguyen dynasty).

Viewers will be guided through the history of the ancient capital with opinions from archaeologists, historians and interviews with high-profile scientists Diep Dinh Hoa, Bui Minh Tri, Phan Huy Le and Do Van Minh.

Expert knowledge will also come from professor of history Phan Huy Le. The project is receiving support from Hanoi People’s Committee and the Co Loa Hanoi Ancient Citadel Preservation Centre.

The 6 billion VND (353.000 USD) movie is helmed by director Nguyen Long Hung, chief of Vietnam Graphics Company. The scriptwriters are journalist Nguyen Thu Thuy and artist Nguyen Anh Tuan, who have been going on field trips and drumming up funds for the project for the last two years.

Filmmakers have raised about 900 million VND (53,000 USD) for the project and hope to draw more capital from organizations and individuals in the country.

The documentary will begin with a scene of King Ly Thai To moving to Thang Long Citadel in 1010, said Thuy. “This was a very important scene and I want to do it justice.”

The film will also bring to life famous historical figures King Ly Cong Uan and monk Van Hanh, who was the king’s adoptive father.

Recreating Kinh Thien Palace is a big challenge for artistic directors, says professor Phan Huy Le. “We have to use a lot of historical documents and advice from experts if we’re going to get it right.”

Doan Mon Gate has already been depicted in 3D, but little remains of the palace itself apart from two stone dragons and some blurred photographs from the French, Le says.

“The 3D images will help people imagine what the citadel looked like,” says Tuan, who is also artistic director.

The script will be sent to the Steering Committee for the Thang Long-Hanoi 1,000th anniversary this month and will be produced over the next 18 months.

VietNamNet/VNA