The future journey for the heritage city of Hue.

HUE - For the first time in Vietnam, a centrally-governed city has been recognized as a heritage city. That city is Hue.

Báo Lao Động•02/02/2025

The major structures within the Hue Imperial Citadel have been successfully restored and renovated, helping the preservation and promotion of Hue's cultural heritage enter a stable and sustainable development phase. Photo: Thanh Dat

For the first time in Vietnam, a centrally-governed city has been designated a heritage city: Hue . Considered a special mechanism, this once again affirms the extremely important role of culture, and Hue rightfully deserves to undertake the responsibility of preserving culture for the entire country and the world , as this region boasts eight cultural heritage sites recognized as World Heritage Sites.

The number of tourists visiting Hue in 2024 increased significantly compared to previous years. Photo: Thanh Dat.

Hue has done an excellent job of preserving its heritage values for decades. Now, as it enters a new phase, the centrally-governed city of Hue not only bears the great responsibility of preservation but also must solve the problem of harmonious development.

Hue's heritage is a precious gem.

Tracing back through history, Hue has contributed to the overall development of the country for thousands of years. In terms of urbanization alone, Hue has a history spanning nearly 400 years, dating back to 1636, when Kim Long was the capital of Dang Trong (Southern Vietnam). Later, Hue also served as the capital of the Tay Son dynasty and the Nguyen dynasty.

This historical land serves as a "transit point" for the Vietnamese nation, a place where many different cultural layers converge and form a major cultural center in history. Today, Hue boasts eight World Heritage sites, including the Complex of Hue Imperial City Monuments, the first Vietnamese heritage site to be recognized by UNESCO in 1993, and Hue Royal Court Music, also an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam recognized in 2003.

Programs at the Hue Festival. Photo: Le Hoang.

Associate Professor Dr. Do Bang, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, believes that the ancient capital of Hue is a complete complex of historical relics, still retaining many original elements. It is a witness to many dynasties from their founding, prosperity, and decline, leaving behind numerous mansions, palaces, tombs, temples, and pagodas. These legacies are now integrated into vibrant and fascinating contemporary life.

According to Mr. Bang, Hue's historical and cultural heritage is an invaluable asset that needs to be studied, preserved, and promoted, not only to enrich Hue and the country but also to enrich the lives of humanity, as a need of modern life that people on all continents need to explore.

"History and nature have bestowed upon Hue a treasure, and Hue has truly become a precious gem. The more this gem is polished by time and participates in the life of humanity, the more it shines, becoming radiant and possessing an extraordinary charm," Mr. Bang remarked when speaking about Hue.

A view of Hue city. Photo: Thanh Dat.

Experts believe Hue made the right choice in developing its own path based on its culture and heritage, following the model of a "heritage, cultural, ecological, scenic, environmentally friendly, and smart city."

This not only opens up great opportunities for development but also preserves its unique identity. However, alongside the opportunities are difficulties and challenges that Hue must inevitably face and overcome.

Researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa, former Director of the Department of Culture and Information of Thua Thien Hue province, commented that Hue City's elevation to the central level is a return to the status of its former imperial capital. This is not only a major policy of the central government but also the result of the efforts of the people and the city's authorities.

Becoming a centrally-governed city is a new opportunity for Hue. Now, Hue City also plays a role as a development hub of the country.

Leveraging the distinctive elements of cultural heritage.

Having spent many years working with the Hue Heritage Complex before becoming Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, Dr. Phan Thanh Hai frankly stated that the issue of preserving and promoting cultural heritage values still lacks appeal to investors, and the rate of social participation in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values remains low.

Furthermore, some state legal mechanisms and regulations are not truly aligned with the practical development of the country in general, and of the locality in particular. Negative impacts caused by human activities, stemming from the pressures of economic development, urbanization, and the demands of modern life, also significantly affect the conservation and promotion of the heritage values of the ancient capital of Hue.

A view of Thien Mu Pagoda. Photo: Nguyen Phong.

According to Dr. Hai, the exploitation of the strengths of the heritage values of the ancient capital of Hue for development has not yet achieved the highest efficiency; the products are still quite limited and do not create interaction for tourists to experience.

Revenue from services at cultural heritage sites is not high, lacking flagship products and distinctive souvenirs. Most of the focus has been on exploiting the cultural heritage values and architectural structures in the Imperial Citadel area, the system of tombs in Hue and its surroundings for tourism development.

Furthermore, many other cultural heritage values in the province, such as gardens, mansions, and temples, have not yet been exploited for tourism development, or have been exploited but at a low level, lacking true attractiveness and uniqueness.

To solve this problem, the head of Hue City's cultural department believes it is necessary to establish regulations for preserving and promoting the value of historical relics, as well as regulations for socio-economic development, and to focus resources on restoring, rehabilitating, and preserving some key architectural works within the Hue Imperial Citadel complex.