Hue, a heritage city, is getting a new look.

Báo Tin Tức•09/01/2025

From January 1st, 2025, Hue became Vietnam's sixth centrally-governed city, and also the country's first centrally-governed city with the characteristics of a "heritage city". With its rich history and unique culture, Hue is ready to transform itself into a green, modern, and livable city, while preserving its cultural identity and making a strong contribution to the overall development of the country.

Hue City, situated on the picturesque Perfume River, is one of Vietnam's most famous cities, boasting a rich history and unique culture. As the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue not only possesses ancient beauty but is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Complex of Monuments of Hue Imperial City - a World Cultural Heritage site.

Hue is associated with important historical relics of the Vietnamese nation. Most prominent is the Hue Imperial Citadel Complex, encompassing the Hue Imperial Citadel, the tombs of the Nguyen emperors, and a system of ancient temples and pagodas. These structures not only reflect the development of imperial architecture but also demonstrate a harmonious blend of humankind and nature. In particular, the tombs, such as the Tomb of Tu Duc, the Tomb of Minh Mang, and the Tomb of Khai Dinh, are considered masterpieces of art, not only for their exquisite architecture but also for the profound philosophical value in each design detail. The city also boasts Hue Royal Court Music, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This type of music, once used in the court ceremonies of the Nguyen dynasty, reflects the pinnacle of Vietnamese art and culture. Furthermore, Hue preserves hundreds of communal houses, pagodas, and traditional craft villages, such as Lang Son painting village, Phu Vang pottery village, and Bai Tho conical hat village, contributing to a vibrant rural landscape. Besides Hue Royal Court Music, Hue also possesses many other intangible cultural values such as royal festivals, religious ceremonies, and traditional dishes that have become tourism brands associated with its heritage. This richness has helped Hue become a unique center of heritage and cultural tourism not only of Vietnam but also of the region.

From January 1, 2025, along with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho, Hue will become the 6th centrally-governed city of Vietnam.

Furthermore, Hue is famous for the Perfume River and Ngu Binh Mountain – natural symbols deeply intertwined with the culture and spirit of the local people. These landmarks are not only sources of inspiration for art and poetry but also crucial elements contributing to Hue's unique tourism appeal. With these values, Hue city has made significant efforts in preserving and promoting its heritage over the years, while simultaneously developing its tourism sector. The local government has implemented numerous heritage preservation programs linked to socio -economic development. Improving tourism infrastructure, developing community-based tourism products, and raising public awareness of heritage values are key factors contributing to the city's continued growth. In particular, the blend of ancient and modern elements has helped Hue maintain its important position on the Vietnamese tourism map. Major cultural festivals such as the Hue Festival, the Ao Dai Festival, and street art activities have contributed to promoting the city's image to the world.

Hue is the only place in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with 8 UNESCO-listed heritage sites (6 belonging solely to Hue and 2 shared with other localities).

Hue is a vivid example of the combination of heritage preservation and modern development. With continuous efforts, the city is gradually asserting its position as a leading heritage city not only in Vietnam but also internationally.

On the evening of December 29, 2024, at Ngo Mon Square in Hue City, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the ceremony to announce Resolution No. 175/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly on the establishment of Hue City as a centrally-governed city. Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that throughout its history of nation-building and development, Hue City has always held a particularly important role and position; it is the gateway to the East-West economic corridor; one of the major centers for culture, tourism, education and training, and specialized healthcare; a growth pole of the dynamic Central region; and a key strategic location for national defense and security.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the ceremony to announce the National Assembly's resolution establishing Hue City as a centrally-governed city.

Hue is a land of rich cultural heritage, the only place in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with 8 UNESCO-listed heritage sites (6 belonging to Hue itself and 2 shared with other localities), including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hue Imperial Citadel, recognized since 1993, and becoming an official member of the international heritage network. This is a unique factor and criterion for Hue, the first centrally-governed city in Vietnam to have the characteristics of a "heritage city". Looking back at its development, Hue has made great efforts to "transform" itself and has achieved many important results. Hue has built an urban model towards a heritage, ecological, and environmentally friendly city; it has formed and developed centers for culture, tourism, multi-disciplinary education and training, and specialized medical centers for the region and the whole country. Alongside this, significant results have been achieved in the preservation and promotion of heritage values; the economy has achieved considerable growth; the material and spiritual lives of the people have improved; the poverty rate has decreased; national defense and security have been maintained; and positive results have been achieved in Party building, and in the fight against corruption, negative practices, and waste.

Cultural heritage in the context of integration and development.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that "Hue deserves to become a centrally-governed city," along with the message, "The whole country is for Hue, Hue is for the whole country." General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the establishment of Hue as a centrally-governed city and the reorganization of district and commune-level administrative units not only aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management; contribute to streamlining the apparatus, reducing personnel, and saving state budget expenditures, but also to leverage potential and advantages to promote socio-economic development of the whole country, the Central Key Economic Region, and the locality; contribute to improving the lives of officials, civil servants, and the people; ensure national defense; and maintain social order and safety in the new situation.

* At its 8th session, the 15th National Assembly passed Resolution No. 175/2024/QH15 on the establishment of Hue City as a centrally-administered city based on the entire natural area and population of Thua Thien Hue province. The resolution takes effect from January 1, 2025. Thus, along with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho, Hue becomes the 6th centrally-administered city of Vietnam. * The Standing Committee of the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 1314/NQ-UBTVQH15 on the rearrangement of district and commune-level administrative units of Hue City for the period 2023-2025. Accordingly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly resolved to establish districts within Hue City; establish Phong Dien town within Hue City; rearrange Nam Dong and Phu Loc districts; and establish towns under their jurisdiction. From the effective date of this resolution (January 1, 2025), Hue City will have 9 district-level administrative units (including 4 districts, 3 towns, and 2 urban districts); and 133 commune-level administrative units (including 48 wards, 78 communes, and 7 townships).

To effectively implement the resolutions of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man suggested that the Party Committee and the government of Hue City develop specific, clear, and feasible plans to address the difficulties and challenges of becoming a centrally-governed city. This includes changing the model of state management organization from a province to a centrally-governed city with a higher level of urbanization; the government apparatus must be organized in a more unified, specialized, and professional manner to ensure smooth and efficient operation, fulfilling its state management functions, especially in urban management, construction order, land management, and ensuring political security, order, and social safety.

Hue is developing its tourism growth potential.

Furthermore, priority should be given to restructuring the economy in conjunction with in-depth innovation in the growth model; prioritizing the development of advantageous service sectors; developing tourism based on the promotion of heritage and cultural values; developing industries towards increased added value, high technology content, and environmental friendliness; and developing high-tech, sustainable agriculture that adapts to climate change. Simultaneously, focus should be placed on mobilizing resources to invest in urban development infrastructure, production infrastructure, and economic development; accelerating administrative reform and improving the investment and business environment in conjunction with digital government and smart urban services. In particular, Hue should prioritize implementing a policy of scientific and technological innovation aimed at green development, meeting the goals set out in national strategies and programs on environmental protection, green growth, and the use of clean technologies. Regular attention should be paid to socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, mountainous regions, and areas affected by natural disasters and climate change.

Building Hue into a green, modern, smart, and happy city directly under the central government.

The Chairman of the National Assembly emphasized that the leaders and people of Hue must strive even harder and be more determined to make the city one of the major and distinctive centers in Southeast Asia for culture, tourism, and specialized healthcare by 2030; and one of the major centers nationwide for science and technology, multi-disciplinary and multi-field education and training of high quality. The Chairman of the National Assembly noted the need to strengthen consensus, cooperation, and unity among the people and businesses, fostering a shared sense of responsibility, pride, and confidence in striving for progress; and ensuring that the people and businesses benefit from the achievements of the reform process and the fruits of their efforts and sacrifices. At the same time, he stressed the importance of strengthening inspection and supervision to promptly identify and resolve any issues arising during the allocation, management, and use of public offices and assets by agencies and units. Ensuring compliance with regulations, promoting economy and efficiency, and resolutely preventing corruption, waste, and negative practices… National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man expressed his confidence that Hue will continue to maximize its potential, strengths, and resources, innovate, dare to think, dare to act, and dare to make breakthroughs to become a peaceful, livable city directly under the central government, a green, modern, smart, and happy Hue.

The People's Committee of Hue City organized the Announcement Ceremony for the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025.

On behalf of the Party Committee, government, and people of Hue City, the Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Council, and Head of the Hue City National Assembly Delegation, Le Truong Luu, affirmed that, with its new role and position, the entire political system and cadres, Party members, and people of Hue City will highly promote a spirit of responsibility, dedication, and intelligence, working together in unity, proactively, innovatively, and creatively, daring to think and act, creating a strong impetus to build Hue into a sustainably developed, safe, peaceful, friendly city with a rich cultural identity. With its rich history and unique culture, Hue is ready to rise to the role of a centrally-governed city with the characteristics of Vietnam's first "heritage city". The spirit of innovation, daring to think and act, along with the unity of the government and people, promises to make Hue a green, modern, and livable city, while preserving its cultural identity and making a strong contribution to the overall development of the country.