Hue pioneers in developing green heritage tourism and bicycle city

The Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) awarded the LOTUS green building certification to Thai Hoa Palace, Hue Convention Center.

At the event, Thai Hoa Palace (Hue Imperial Citadel) - a symbol of power and unique architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty - was officially awarded the LOTUS green building certification by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC). This marks the first time a UNESCO World Heritage site has achieved green building status in Vietnam.

The LOTUS certification not only honors architectural and historical values but also recognizes Hue's efforts in restoring historical sites in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

The restoration process of Thai Hoa Palace took place over 3 years (from November 2021 to November 2024), strictly adhering to the principle of preserving the original value of the monument, using traditional materials combined with advanced conservation techniques, optimizing energy efficiency, minimizing emissions, and being environmentally friendly.

Douglas Lee Snyders, Executive Director of VGBC, shared: "We appreciate Hue's commitment to incorporating green development thinking into heritage conservation. LOTUS is not just a certification, but an affirmation: Heritage is not just the past – it is also the future, if properly protected."

In addition to the green building certification for Thai Hoa Palace, VGBC also awarded and honored GCOO as a LOTUS Green Service Provider – a pioneer in providing sustainable transportation services for tourism . GCOO, a brand belonging to the Gbike Group (Korea), is one of the pioneering models applying electric vehicles to serve tourists in the Hue heritage area.

As part of the event, GCOO donated 20 new-generation GCOO electric bicycles to the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center. These vehicles will be put into operation on the new tourist route within the Imperial Citadel, providing visitors with a quieter, friendlier, and more flexible sightseeing experience.

Delegates cycled through the main streets of downtown Hue to spread the message "Hue – Pioneering the development of green heritage tourism and a city of bicycles".

Mr. Jongsoo Yoon, CEO of Gbike, stated: "This partnership is not just a simple collaboration, but also a long-term commitment from Gbike to work alongside Hue City in realizing its vision of developing a green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly tourism city."

The donation of GCOO electric bicycles demonstrates Gbike's strong commitment to the vision of "Hue - The Bicycle City," encouraging an environmentally friendly transportation system. Hue City is aiming for sustainable urban development while providing residents and tourists with greener, safer, and more convenient transportation options. This initiative aligns with Hue's ongoing sustainable development strategy.

The event concluded with the message "Hue – Pioneering the development of green heritage tourism and a bicycle city" – through a parade of GCOO electric bicycles through the Hue Imperial Citadel and iconic streets of Hue city, with the participation of 100 delegates.

Along the route, locals and tourists can interact via QR codes introducing Hue City's pioneering campaign to develop green heritage tourism linked to conservation and sustainable development in the 21st century, and also admire the GCOO electric bicycle parade with a message about preserving the green environment of heritage sites and acting for a green future.

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, affirmed: "Today's event demonstrates how Hue integrates conservation, tourism, and environmental education into a single, in-depth activity. This is a model for a sustainable heritage development strategy."

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hue-tien-phong-phat-trien-du-lich-di-san-xanh-va-thanh-pho-xe-dap-102250419173421829.htm