Thai Hoa Palace - a UNESCO world heritage site in Vietnam meets green building standards

On April 19, at Ngo Mon Square, Hue Imperial City, a special event took place: "Hue - Pioneer in developing Green Heritage Tourism and Bicycle City", co-organized by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, Vietnam Green Building Council and VietPM - GCOO brand representative in Vietnam.

Attending the event were Standing Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Chi Tai; representatives of leaders of departments, branches, and agencies, domestic and foreign agencies and organizations, and heritage conservation experts.

Vietnam Green Building Council awarded LOTUS green building certification to Thai Hoa Palace project.

At this event, Thai Hoa Palace - a symbolic building of the Nguyen Dynasty, part of the Hue Monuments Complex, was officially awarded the LOTUS green building certificate by the Vietnam Green Building Council. This is the first time a world cultural heritage in Vietnam has achieved green standards, opening up a new direction in the work of restoring and preserving heritage in a sustainable manner.

Over the course of three years, from November 2021 to November 2024, the Thai Hoa Palace restoration process will be strictly implemented using traditional materials, combined with modern conservation techniques, optimizing energy efficiency, limiting emissions and being environmentally friendly. All of this is aimed at restoring the building while ensuring its original elements and meeting sustainable criteria.

Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Chi Tai (2nd from right) talks with Mr. Jongsoo Yoon, CEO of Gbike (Korea).

Mr. Douglas Lee Snyders, Executive Director of Vietnam Green Building Council, commented: “LOTUS is not just a certification, but an affirmation: heritage is not only the past, but also the future, if properly preserved and developed. We highly appreciate Hue’s commitment to applying green development thinking to heritage conservation work.”

In addition to the green building certification for Thai Hoa Palace, the Vietnam Green Building Council has awarded the certificate and honored GCOO as the first “LOTUS Green Service Provider” in Vietnam in the field of heritage tourism. The GCOO brand belongs to Gbike Group (Korea), one of the pioneering models in applying electric vehicles to serve visitors at the Hue heritage site.

GCOO donated 20 new generation GCOO electric bicycles to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.

Also within the framework of the event, GCOO also donated 20 new generation electric bicycles to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. These electric bicycles will be put into service at the Hue Imperial City, providing visitors with a quiet, friendly, and flexible sightseeing experience, while contributing to reducing air and noise pollution in the relic area.

Mr. Jongsoo Yoon, CEO of Gbike, said: “This partnership is not just a simple cooperation, but also a long-term commitment of Gbike in accompanying Hue city to realize the vision of developing a green, sustainable and environmentally friendly urban tourism”.

Delegates participated in cycling activities right after the event.

The donation of GCOO electric bicycles demonstrates Gbike’s strong commitment to the vision of “Hue-City of Bicycles”, encouraging an environmentally friendly transport system; Hue City is aiming for sustainable urban development, while providing residents and visitors with greener, safer and more convenient means of transport. This initiative is in line with the sustainable development strategy that Hue is implementing.

At the event, a community cycling campaign "Hue - Pioneer in developing green heritage tourism and Bicycle City" took place through the Imperial Citadel area and iconic routes of Hue, spreading the message of green transformation, sustainable tourism development, community responsibility and the relentless efforts of Hue city in the journey towards "National Green City by 2030". The activity attracted the participation of more than 100 delegates including city leaders, businessmen, students in the city.

The message “Hue - Pioneer in developing green heritage tourism and Bicycle City” through the parade by GCOO electric bicycles passing through Hue Imperial City. (Photo: X.DAT)

Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center Hoang Viet Trung said: “Hue - Developing green heritage tourism and Bicycle City” demonstrates how Hue integrates conservation, tourism and environmental education in the same in-depth activity. This is a model for a sustainable heritage development strategy.”

With the message "Sustainability from the roots - Reviving heritage, creating a green future", Hue not only preserves heritage, but is also nurturing heritage in the breath of a green, humane and inspiring city.

Hue is a pioneer in developing a model of a bicycle city and green tourism. (Photo: X.DAT)

Aiming to bring green transportation into long-term service, GCOO will deploy 13 electric bicycle stations in key areas of Hue city in the first phase, operating from April 20, 2025.

It is expected that 140 vehicles will be put into operation at locations such as: Tu Do Stadium, Hue City People's Committee, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Kim Long Park... After completing the inspection, this electric bicycle system will continue to be expanded to serve tourists and residents.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dien-thai-hoa-mot-di-san-the-gioi-unesco-o-viet-nam-dat-chuan-cong-trinh-xanh-post873745.html