Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Hue Imperial City in March 2017

Hue Heritage - the foundation of modern development

Hue has long been known as one of the cities with the most distinctive cultural identity in Vietnam. Through many historical changes, the city has always maintained a harmonious rhythm of life between people - nature - heritage. This is clearly demonstrated through the major goal assigned by the Party and the State: to build Hue into a centrally-run city on the basis of preserving and promoting the values ​​of the Ancient Capital, developing according to the pillars of culture - heritage - ecology - landscape - environment and smart urban.

Provincial leaders (now city) welcomed and presented flowers to congratulate the visit of Japanese King Akihito and Queen Michiko.

With an extremely rich treasure of cultural heritage, including 8 world heritages, the city not only preserves heritage in the traditional way, but also boldly recreates, creates and transforms heritage into resources for developing cultural industries. The Four Seasons Hue Festival, the Project "Hue - Capital of Ao Dai", "Hue - Capital of Cuisine", or the application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network... have created the image of a dynamic city but still imbued with the spirit of heritage.

Hue is proving that conservation is not a state of inertia, but a driving force for creating the future.

Journey of Vietnam - Japan cultural cooperation from sustainable values

For decades, Japan has been one of Hue's important strategic partners. Based on mutual respect and Asian cultural harmony, the two sides have implemented many extensive and effective cooperation programs.

Hue has signed important cooperation agreements with Kyoto, Gifu, and Nara provinces; participated in promoting tourism and trade in Kyushu and especially participated in promoting culture and tourism at EXPO OSAKA 2025; coordinated to organize the Autumn Festival - Hue Matsuri 2023, exchange at the Kyoto Student Festival 2024, the "Japanese Doll" exhibition, and formed cultural display corners between the two localities.

In addition, heritage conservation cooperation activities, typically the cooperation in restoring Ngo Mon - the main gate of the Imperial Citadel; Minh Lau, Ta Tung Tu (Minh Mang Tomb), Long Duc Palace, Chieu Kinh Palace (Thai Mieu area)... And especially the research program on conservation and training on Hue traditional architecture between Waseda University and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center over the past decades, has become an exemplary symbol for the Vietnam - Japan scientific - cultural exchange relationship.

In addition, Japanese organizations such as JICA have supported Hue in developing community tourism in Phuoc Tich ancient village; Japanese art troupes regularly perform at Hue Festival, along with many youth exchange activities and traditional sports between Hue and Katsuragi (Nara).

It can be said that culture is creating a "soft bridge" - but extremely durable - between Hue and Japan.

Three strategic cooperation orientations in the new period

Entering a new stage of development, Hue wishes to bring its cooperation with Japanese partners to a new level - more practical, effective and sustainable. The city proposes three priority directions:

1. Strengthen promotion and people-to-people exchange

The two sides continue to coordinate in promoting cultural and tourism images; maintain the display of cultural publications and handicraft products at Hue City Library and Gifu Prefectural Library; and review and implement cooperation contents signed with five Japanese localities: Shizuoka, Kyoto, Sasayama, Saijo and Takayama.

2. Promote cultural and sports exchange events

Hue wishes to organize festivals, culinary programs, music, traditional art performances, student-artist and scholar exchanges, etc., especially during the Hue International Festival and festivals specializing in sports and culture.

3. Sustainable development cooperation associated with environmental culture

The city proposed that Japan join the project "Building a community waste management model associated with environmental culture education" - a model aiming for a green, clean and sustainable lifestyle in heritage sites and residential communities.

Inspiring friendship, opening the way for the future

With the position of a centrally-governed city and on the journey to become a major center of culture and tourism in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, Hue identifies culture as the main axis of development. Every citizen must feel the “happiness of a heritage city”, where the past and the future meet in harmony.

Japan's valuable experiences in urban management, heritage conservation, cultural industry development, sustainable tourism and community education will continue to be a great source of inspiration for Hue.

Today, when Hue and Japan continue to expand new cooperation, it is not only a simple economic and cultural development, but also a meaningful journey of encounter, continuing to inspire friendship between the two peoples.

That relationship will become even closer, contributing to making Hue a cultural - creative - humane - sustainable urban area in the region and the world.

Nguyen Thanh Binh

Permanent Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/hue-do-thi-di-san-va-hanh-trinh-gan-ket-van-hoa-cung-nhat-ban-160289.html