Hue is the cradle of artisans with "golden hands".

Preserve for revival

As the only locality in Vietnam to possess eight UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage sites, the ancient capital of Hue holds a vast treasure trove of tangible and intangible heritage. Since 1993, when the Hue Imperial Citadel Complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, Hue has embarked on a long-term plan. The project "Planning, Preservation and Promotion of the Value of the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics" has been continuously adjusted, from the period 1996-2010, extending to 2020, and is continuing to be implemented until 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Throughout this journey, the Hue Imperial City Heritage Conservation Center has played a pivotal role. With tireless efforts, it has simultaneously researched, restored, and continuously innovated to make the heritage more vibrant and relevant to contemporary life.

TapQuest smart interactive stations will be deployed throughout the Hue Imperial Citadel complex by 2025.

In the intangible cultural heritage sector, Hue has continuously invested in in-depth conservation efforts. In 2022, the completion of the digital database on Hue Royal Court Opera provided a crucial foundation for research and training. Valuable scripts, audio and video recordings have been systematically systematized and digitized. Typical pieces of court music, opera, dance, and traditional rituals have also been collected and scientifically documented. Dozens of dossiers have been compiled, including two provincial-level dossiers on Hue court music and opera, demonstrating the investment and determination to preserve this precious heritage of our ancestors.

In particular, the restoration of royal court rituals such as the Nam Giao sacrifice, the Xa Tac sacrifice, and performances at the Duyet Thi Duong Theater, Ngo Mon Gate, and Thai Hoa Palace courtyard... not only helps to recreate the picture of ancient royal court culture but also brings the heritage closer to the public and tourists.

According to Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, the Center has collected 41 pieces of Hue court music, restored and performed 17 pieces of Ca Chuong music used in the Nam Giao and Xa Tac ceremonies; built 22 scientific dossiers on Hue court music, opera, and dance; and taken Hue court music to perform and promote in 9 countries. Nearly 15 consecutive Hue Festivals have featured court music performances, affirming Hue's unique position in the national cultural landscape. In addition, the Center is researching a project to digitize the court music notation system and restore the Hue method of musical notation – a unique traditional notation technique.

Heritage is a driving force for development.

Hue is gradually shaping an economic model based on heritage values. Tourists visiting Hue not only visit the Imperial Citadel and royal tombs, but also experience the heritage environment: listening to traditional music, watching royal opera, enjoying local cuisine, and exploring traditional craft villages… Heritage is being activated to create livelihoods for the people, enrich tourism products, and thereby spread cultural values.

Heritage preservation in the digital age cannot be achieved without technology. Hue is one of the pioneering localities in this field, with many projects applying digital technology to the preservation, display, and promotion of heritage. Since the end of 2022, an electronic ticketing system has been applied at all historical sites, simplifying procedures, enhancing the visitor experience, and facilitating cashless payments. Mobile applications for navigation within the Imperial Citadel, automatic QR code-based audio guides, Wi-Fi systems integrated with surveillance cameras, AI-powered recognition software, etc., have created a technological network that effectively supports management and service.

Digitizing historical sites using 360-degree technology and virtual reality (VR, XR) has created a vivid exploration journey. Sites such as the Hue Imperial Citadel, the Tang Tho Pavilion, and the Temple of Literature are integrated with digital data and 3D maps, telling the cultural story through each check-in. "This is not just an experience, but a way to revive past memories using modern technology," said Vo Quang Huy, Deputy Chief of the Hue Center for Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

In the field of antique preservation, Hue is pioneering the application of NFC chips and blockchain to identify, authenticate, and display artifacts in the digital space. Nguyen Dynasty artifacts are not only safely protected but also accessible from anywhere through the metaverse platform MuseeHue.vn – a “virtual museum” attracting young people. Furthermore, the “Imperial Capital Archaeological Chronicle” project, with its blindbox arttoy collectible models, has transformed symbols of Hue's heritage into cultural figures relatable to Gen Z. Each product tells a historical story through visual language, contributing to spreading a love of heritage among young people.

Hue is also the first locality to deploy TapQuest smart interactive station technology at historical sites, allowing for the recording of presence and suggesting suitable experiences. It is expected that by 2025, 140 TapQuest stations will cover the entire Hue Imperial Citadel Complex.

"Heritage is a precious 'soft resource' that Hue possesses. Preserving it is not about storing it away, but about living with it, resonating with the rhythm of contemporary life, and empowering sustainable development," said Mr. Hoang Viet Trung.

Text and photos: Lien Minh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/giu-hon-xua-cho-hue-154265.html