A breath of fresh air for tourism in Hue.

"In 2019, before the pandemic, we visited Hue and the Imperial Citadel for the first time. We were very excited because we knew there were Hue folk singing performances inside. But later, because we didn't meet the minimum number of attendees, the Hue folk singing program didn't take place," recounted Khai Quan, one of the two members of the Wanderful Dreamers travel channel. "But what surprised me even more was that while walking inside the Imperial Citadel, I overheard a foreign tourist asking the tour guide -What does that poster introducing Hue folk songs mean?- and the tour guide said:Never mind, because that program takes up too much time to watch...".

After more than two years of the pandemic, Khai Quan was once again surprised by the new look of Hue tourism. This was when the city officially announced the return of Hue folk singing to the Imperial Citadel, and this time, it was completely free.

Hue brings cultural heritage back to the Imperial Palace, and it's completely free.

As you read this article, unique cultural programs are taking place daily at the Hue Imperial Citadel. Organized by the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center to attract visitors to the heritage site, the series of programs begins at...changing of the guard ceremonyFrom early morning performances to Hue folk songs or royal court opera in the afternoon, the most unique aspect is that these activities take place regularly every day and are free of charge.

During this time, the Thai Hoa Palace – a beloved historical site within the Imperial Citadel – is undergoing restoration. The Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center has quickly implemented virtual reality tourism using 3D technology; through large LED screens erected on the front and back of the palace, visitors can easily "explore" the images.

Not only within the Imperial Citadel, but the city of Hue has also implemented, is implementing, and will continue to implement many other large-scale programs to stimulate tourism in 2022: raising awareness among locals and tourists.Let's all wear the traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) on March 8th.Organizing a marathon race "For a Green Hue" or a traditional boat racing festival;Implement a public bicycle system.in the city center; and soon, Hue will inaugurate the "Imperial Citadel Night Street" from April 22nd (which is also the first pedestrian street).No alcoholic beverages are sold..

It is evident that Hue is actively preserving and spreading the cultural and artistic heritage of the ancient capital. These events and programs are not only held to introduce the city's identity to tourists from outside, but also to raise awareness among Hue residents about their homeland.

Stimulating tourism, thanks to the efforts of both the government and the people.

It's not just about events that are promoted through the press and media; ifmonitorMore on social media, you'll realize that the new wave of tourism in Hue is contributed by everyone – from leaders to ordinary people.

As tourist interest in Hue increased, conflicting opinions emerged online, revolving around the issue ofEntrance fee to visit the historical sites of Hue Imperial City.Is it expensive or cheap? Some people expressed the opinion that the current ticket price is too high for a historical site, and that there should be a preferential policy for Hue residents when visiting these sites.

Without evading the issue or responding with formal written documents, Mr. Phan Thien Dinh, Secretary of the Hue City Party Committee, expressed his opinion on his personal Facebook page. In it, he wrote:

[...] Whether a ticket to visit a historical site is expensive or cheap is not as simple as buying an ordinary item. It depends on the level of cultural and historical appreciation, the purpose of visiting the site, and each person's spending capacity.Therefore, for those who prioritize cultural and historical research, seeking their ancestral roots, or simply buying tickets to historical sites with the intention of contributing a small amount to the restoration and repair of ancestral relics, this fee may not be expensive. Conversely, for those who only visit to see the sights or take souvenir photos, the regulated fee may be considered high if they find it boring, uninteresting, or the service is not satisfactory.

Regarding the suggestions to reduce entrance fees for Hue residents, Mr. Phan Thien Dinh also left a comment:If we think of heritage solely as belonging to Hue, we will never have enough money to restore the monuments. This is a heritage of Vietnam and the world; everyone has a responsibility to care for, restore, preserve, and promote it. If Hue demands special privileges for itself, who outside of Hue will contribute to the Hue Heritage Conservation Fund?

It's worth noting that Mr. Phan Thien Dinh is not the spokesperson for the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center; his nearly 1,000-word post on his personal page was entirely a personal sharing. However, through it, the public has seen a glimpse of the frank, civilized, and open-minded attitude of those working in Hue's tourism industry.

Alongside the efforts of the government leaders, the people of Hue city – from young to old – also responded actively. They not only cleaned the streets in the morningsGreen SundayWhether during holidays or festivals, they keep their streets and rivers clean every day. If you visit Hue during this time, it's difficult to find any floating trash on the Perfume River or any strange smells from street corners. Tourists are now not only familiar with the dreamy purple color characteristic of Hue, but they will also become familiar with the green of the trees, leaves, and streets.

Perhaps only in Hue can one encounter such amusing and down-to-earth stories as: a resident discovering someone illegally dumping a bag of trash into the Perfume River, quickly taking a photo as evidence and... reporting it to the authorities, so that the authorities can promptly criticize and admonish them.

Shi Jang, CEO of Oriental Sky Travel & Tour, a travel company based in Hue, shared: "Actually, Hue tourism hasn't changed overnight; the changes have been happening for several years now. The period from 2020 to the present is particularly significant because we've seen many clear improvements. From the city government to the provincial Department of Tourism, everyone has been more open and receptive to feedback and suggestions from tourism businesses, tourism professionals, and tourists. The communication aspect of Hue tourism has also received more attention, both in content and form."

"When everyone works together, I believe Hue will change for the better, making people want to visit Hue more, and then love and miss Hue even more."

Travel, and experience culture and history.

Recently, in Hue, there was a story about relocating a 100-year-old villa at 26 Le Loi Street. This old villa, originally the headquarters of the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial Union of Literature and Arts Associations, boasts French architecture and was built in the early 20th century. Despite this, the villa is not included in the relocation list.27 representative French architectural works to be preserved in Hue City.which the Provincial People's Committee issued in early 2018.

According to the plan, the city needed to demolish the villa to build a high-end hotel and commercial complex in the area. However, the authorities have now decided to preserve this historical building, even inviting Mr. Nguyen Van Cu – nicknamed "the magician" for his ability to move even the most difficult houses – to relocate the villa at 26 Le Loi Street to another location. Instead of demolishing it as planned, the Hue authorities chose to pay a considerable sum of money to keep it.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien-Hue province, shared: "Although this villa is not on the list of 27 French villas in the city that are being preserved, we still decided to keep it in the opposite location, with the desire to preserve the soul of Hue city during its development."

Hue's tourism industry has only been "revived" for nearly three months, with new projects still in the planning and implementation stages. However, if we look at how the people treat their streets and neighborhoods, and how the authorities treat an old villa, can we really expect a bright future for Hue's tourism?

The winds of tourism, though new, haven't brought anything overly luxurious or strange to the ancient capital; instead, they act like a torch, helping to preserve and spread the very values ​​of this city's heritage. With Hue's determination to develop tourism – alongside culture and history – we can even expect that this development will reach greater heights and expand further.sustainable, just like the fortified walls and tombs that stand on this land.

Lam Oanh, Phuong Anh