Hue Festival is a place where unique cultures from around the world converge and interact.

Looking out into the world

Heritage economic development is not just a story of Hue but has become a global trend. According to Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) Hoang Viet Trung, economic development from heritage values ​​not only brings direct economic benefits but also contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical values.

Many countries have been successful in exploiting cultural heritage as a driving force for sustainable economic development.

In France, the city of Avignon, famous for its World Heritage Site, the Palais des Papes, has turned its heritage into a center of cultural and artistic activity. The annual Avignon Theatre Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, bringing huge revenue to the local economy and transforming the city into an international cultural center.

In Japan, Kyoto – home to thousands of ancient temples, shrines and traditional neighborhoods – has cleverly combined heritage preservation with experiential tourism . Kyoto not only offers sightseeing services but also organizes pottery, tea ceremony and flower arrangement classes, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

South Korea is also a typical example with the re-enactment of the Joseon Dynasty history through experiential services. In Thailand, the capital Bangkok develops Chao Phraya River tourism with cultural experience tours along the river, combined with traditional art performances on boats. This model not only preserves culture but also creates new experiences for tourists.

Potential and prospects

Hue - a city directly under the Central Government, with the development orientation following the model of "heritage, culture, ecology, landscape and environmental friendliness", each heritage is considered as the core, creating development momentum for the fields of tourism, services and cultural industry. From the successful lessons of the world, Hue can completely develop unique tourism products bearing the unique mark of the heritage of the Ancient Capital. Previously, Hue focused on exploiting heritage through activities of selling tickets to visit relics. Now, Hue is moving towards a heritage economic model with a new, flexible and sustainable approach.

“Models such as exploiting the Imperial Medical Institute, the waterway system, experiential tourism on the Upper Citadel, heritage education and organizing cultural festivals have demonstrated the great potential of Hue heritage in building a sustainable economy,” Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center Hoang Viet Trung affirmed.

According to Mr. Trung, recreating the royal cultural space through experiential services such as royal ceremonies, royal cuisine, or traditional medicine services at the Imperial Medical Institute are steps in the right direction. Along with that, it is possible to build eco-tours combining culture in the Upper Citadel and the Imperial City waterway system, opening up new opportunities for sustainable tourism development, contributing to enriching the experience of tourists.

The application of technology in heritage conservation and exploitation, such as 3D digitalization technology and 3D mapping light shows, is also a necessary direction to help heritage become more vivid and closer to the younger generation. This is how Hue can connect the past and the future, creating a difference from other destinations. In addition, heritage education is an important way to convey cultural and historical values ​​to the younger generation. At the same time, it is also an indirect economic exploitation channel through related products and services.

The diversity of heritages recognized by UNESCO also creates a solid foundation for Hue to develop into an international Festival City, covering many fields, from music, performing arts to cultural-historical exhibitions, landscapes attracting tourists and artists from all over the world. This heritage treasure creates the basis for Hue to become a center of international cultural exchange, organizing large-scale cultural diplomatic events. This not only enhances Hue's position in the international arena but also creates opportunities for economic development, bringing sustainable income through cultural and tourism activities, making Hue a bright spot on the international tourism map.

Article and photos: Lien Minh