Taking care of and shaping the ornamental plants at the historical site.

Taking care of every tree and blade of grass.

Amidst the sweltering heat of early July, on the road leading to the Thieu Tri Mausoleum, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Team Leader of the Greenery Team, Landscape and Environment Department - Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, and his colleagues took a break under a tree after completing the pruning of the tall, ancient trees.

“The trees are located within palaces, temples, and tombs like the The Mieu Temple, Trieu Mieu Temple, Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb… vehicles can’t get in, so we have to climb up by hand, wearing safety ropes, and then use saws to cut each branch. After that, we gather all the branches and drag and carry them out of the grounds before we can load them onto the vehicles. Sometimes, while climbing, we encounter beehives or fire ants that bite us. It’s very hard and dangerous,” Tuan said.

Trimming old trees is no easy task. It requires skill, physical strength, and courage. Many trees have large canopies and tangled roots, and are located close to ancient structures, so trimming must be done aesthetically without damaging the buildings. "Sometimes, we climb trees more than ten meters high, hanging precariously while we work," Tuan shared.

The Environmental Landscape Department currently has 88 people, divided into several teams: the garden team at the Imperial Citadel, the team caring for areas outside the citadel, the team specializing in pruning trees at historical sites, the team in charge of the nursery for propagating and preserving rare tree species… Their work begins early in the morning and continues until late in the afternoon, regardless of sun or rain.

According to Mr. Le Trung Hieu, Head of the Landscape and Environment Department, the unit is currently managing over 80,000 trees; of which, nearly 8,000 ancient trees are fitted with GPS tracking to monitor their growth. Each tree in the heritage area is not just a plant, but also a part of history. Some trees are associated with the Nguyen Dynasty kings, while others have witnessed countless changes in this land.

In the summer, when the sun is scorching and the hot, dry winds blow constantly, environmental workers have to intensify watering to maintain moisture, care for the lawns in Ngo Mon Square, and trim ornamental plants in Co Ha, Thieu Phuong gardens or the courtyard of the Royal Antiquities Museum... "Every day we water the entire square, starting from 5:30 a.m. until before 7:00 a.m., then continue in the afternoon at other locations," said Ms. Tran Thi Bich Thuan, a staff member of Garden Team No. 2. Many days the sun reaches 40 degrees Celsius, and people are drenched in sweat, but the plants cannot be allowed to dry out, and the flowers cannot be allowed to wither.

For Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, to do this job, you have to love trees and the old-world charm of Hue to stay committed for the long term. "Every morning when I go to the historical sites and see the flowers blooming, the grass green, the trees thriving, and visitors taking pictures and praising the beauty, I feel happy and motivated," Mr. Tuan said cheerfully.

Green spaces - Cultural spaces

Caring for greenery is not just about watering, pruning, or pest control. The Landscape and Environment Department is also responsible for beautifying the entire landscape on important occasions. Before each Hue Festival or major holiday, all personnel are mobilized to refresh the landscape, ensuring a green, clean space in keeping with the spirit of the ancient royal court.

Mr. Hieu said that during the two months leading up to the bonsai and orchid exhibition in May, the entire team focused on beautifying the grounds of the Ministry of Interior; renovating and rearranging the entire system of bonsai and flowers. "In the near future, the area around the Temple of Literature will also be beautified to create a new highlight for tourists," Mr. Hieu informed.

Many tourists visiting Hue are impressed by the refreshing green of the Imperial Citadel. Nguyen Van Tu, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “Walking among the ancient trees in the early morning, I felt like I was transported to another space, very peaceful and full of depth. The beautiful scenery makes the experience of visiting Hue much more poetic.”

According to Mr. Le Trung Hieu, to enhance the value of historical sites, the landscape plays an inseparable role from the architecture. Trees in Hue are not simply decorative; they also provide shade, regulate the climate, protect the structure of buildings, and, more importantly, convey historical and cultural emotions to visitors. Many trees in the Hue historical sites are hundreds of years old, witnesses to history, from the lychee and longan trees once planted as offerings to the emperor to the fragrant frangipani trees in the temple courtyards. Caring for these trees is not just about maintenance, but also about preserving the soul of the ancient capital.

Amidst the hot weather, among the crowds strolling under the green canopy of the Imperial Citadel, few can imagine the meticulous, persistent, and dedicated care that lies behind that refreshing coolness. It is this soothing green that daily sustains the heritage, preserving the ancient traditions and the identity of the former capital through the centuries.

Text and photos: LIEN MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/giu-mau-xanh-cho-di-san-155942.html