The ceremony was attended by Mr Tim Curtis (Chief of Culture Unit, UNESCO Bangkok and Chair of the Awards), Ms. Pratibha Mehta (UN Resident coordinator), Ms. Katherine Müller-Marin (Director, UNESCO Hanoi), Ms. Duong Bich Hanh (UNESCO Hanoi) as well as representatives from the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, the Hanoi Department of Tourism, local historians alongside Mr Clive Scott, General Manager of the hotel and several other invited guests.
The ceremony was followed by a tour of the bunker itself, an underground labyrinth of corridors and chambers which played a crucial role during the bombing raids over Hanoi in the 1970s. In its assessment the jury praised the thoughtful approach taken in the restoration,
“Forgotten for decades until its rediscovery in 2011, the bomb shelter has been preserved in its original condition, with the unobtrusive addition of new mechanical and electrical installations to allow the space to be accessible and safe for public viewing. Through its sensitive approach and thoughtful interpretation, the project provides a rare glimpse into an important chapter of Vietnamese contemporary history.”