Phan Minh Vu inspects the gilded details on the horizontal plaque of "Thai Hoa Palace".

Honor, pride

I met Phan Minh Vu, an employee of Hue Relic Restoration Joint Stock Company, while he was meticulously checking the final details of the gilded paintwork on the "Thai Hoa Palace" horizontal plaque. Standing on a forklift for nearly two hours, Vu carefully inspected every small corner, touching up any remaining imperfections, only breathing a sigh of relief when he was certain everything was perfect.

Before the handover of the Thai Hoa Palace historical site, ready to open to visitors, the horizontal plaque inscribed "Thai Hoa Palace" was hung back in its original position. "At that moment, all of us craftsmen were moved and proud. Proud that we had contributed a small part to creating this magnificent and exquisite palace," Vu shared.

Phan Minh Vu is one of 79 skilled craftsmen and artisans recently honored by the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center for their contributions to the preservation and restoration of the Thai Hoa Palace – a symbolic structure of the Nguyen Dynasty and an invaluable treasure of the nation's cultural and historical heritage. After three years of extensive restoration, the Thai Hoa Palace has regained its original magnificent appearance.

After more than 10 years in the profession, this was the first time Phan Minh Vu received a certificate of merit and an award. During the very solemn award ceremony, Vu was deeply moved:

"I still remember the Center's leader saying that without you, the artisans and skilled craftsmen who tirelessly dedicate your efforts day and night to the preservation and restoration of historical sites, this work could not have been completed."

Meticulous attention to detail when applying gold leaf.

Vu is the youngest member of the team. More than 40 people in the lacquer painting department of Hue Heritage Restoration Joint Stock Company have 15 to over 20 years of experience. "Although we're called painters, everyone can do every step of the process. Each person has a specific task, everyone knows what to do, and they all strictly adhere to the requirements of the restoration work," Vu said.

Not only Vu, but also skilled craftsmen like Ms. Vo Thi Bich, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Dao, Ms. Hoang Thi Gai, and Mr. Le Van Ky, Mr. Le Van Kiem, Mr. Nguyen Van Khieu, and Mr. Nguyen Dang Long – the artisans honored on this occasion – continue to silently dedicate their skills, love, and passion to the nation's heritage. Throughout the restoration process, from restoring the smallest details to tasks requiring absolute precision, they have performed everything with patience, meticulousness, and dedication.

"Heritage citizens"

Thirty-one years have passed since the Hue Imperial Citadel complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Over 200 structures within this complex have been preserved and restored. Monuments such as Ngo Mon Gate, Hien Lam Pavilion, The Mieu complex, Dien Tho Palace, Duyet Thi Duong, Truong Sanh Palace; Dong Khanh Mausoleum; Minh Lau, Sung An Palace (Minh Mang Mausoleum), Hoa Khiem Palace, Minh Khiem Duong (Tu Duc Mausoleum); Thien Dinh Palace (Khai Dinh Mausoleum), Kien Trung Palace, Thai Hoa Palace... have been restored, renovated, upgraded, and returned to their original state. Among these achievements, the efforts of skilled artisans and craftsmen who tirelessly cared for every detail of the carvings and cherished every tile and piece of pottery to preserve this heritage site are invaluable.

Attention to every small detail at the Thai Hoa power plant project.

According to Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Center for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, restoration and preservation is a specialized job that requires craftsmen to have knowledge and understanding of heritage, especially high skills, expertise, and practical experience in traditional crafts such as wood carving, bronze casting, ceramics, painting, and the reconstruction of ancient architectural works.

In the past, skilled artisans and craftsmen were crucial factors in creating this architectural heritage. Today, the Hue Imperial Citadel complex is an invaluable asset to the nation and the world. And it is they – the "heritage workers" – who are contributing to preserving this precious "legacy" left by our ancestors with their skillful hands. "Preserving historical relics is not simply about restoration, but also a journey of honoring heritage, expressing profound gratitude to history, and contributing to 'passing on' the national culture and art to future generations. They are not just craftsmen. They are the guardians of the essence of our ancestors, the instigators of pride and responsibility towards heritage. With such meaningful and silent contributions, we need to show our gratitude and honor them," Mr. Trung said.

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