Among four of Vietnam's World Cultural Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO, the Imperial City of Hue has been rated as the most valuable and significant architectural work. Located on the banks of the Huong Giang (Perfume River) in Central Vietnam, the Imperial City of Hue has a one-word name, simple pronunciation, like that of many other ancient villages throughout Vietnam. Through many historical ups and downs, many of the old names have fallen into oblivion, but the name of Hue has been retained and has even become famous in modern life. Hue is not a large city. It is located on a narrow stretching parcel of land affected by harsh weather and is less endowed by nature compared with other localities in the central region. However, since the feudal dynasty of the Nguyen Lords (17th -19th century), Hue rose to prominence as the capital of "Southern Vietnam". From 1635-1687, the Nguyen Lords, Nguyen Phuc Lan and Nguyen Phuc Tan, built their palaces in Kim Long Village. From 1688 - … [Read more...] about HUE – A World Cultural Heritage Site
Cultural heritage centre
Xoan Singing – A Cultural Heritage of Humanity
On December 24, 2011, at the 6th Meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO held in Bali, Indonesia, Vietnam's Xoan singing in Phu Tho was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in need of urgent protection. Phu Tho is regarded as the ancestral land and the root of the Vietnamese people. In this very place, more than 4,000 years ago, the Hung Kings founded the country of Van Lang, the first state of Vietnam. From this cradle, a lot of valuable cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people was established. Of these there is Xoan singing, a type of folk singing with the community's cultural features and spiritual factors of the ancient Vietnamese people. According to research, Xoan singing is a genies-worshipping ritual. It consists of various elements, such as music, singing and dancing. Xoan singing is usually performed at communal houses and in early spring. There are three basic … [Read more...] about Xoan Singing – A Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Thua Thien-Hue should tap cultural heritage for growth: PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits Hue University (Photo VNA) The leader had a working session with the provincial authorities on January 2nd during his working visit to the locality. Hue itself should focus on tourism, services and economic linkages as its breakthrough fields, he said, asking it to use information technology intensively in managing heritage and developing tourism. The city needs to develop a professional tourism ecosystem that can work to entice visitors to stay in the city longer as their longer stay generates more incomes, he reasoned. It should speed up the mobilization of all resources, especially from the private sector to invest in transport, tourism, healthcare, industry, and others while paying greater attention to protecting the ecology, culture and security to deserve its status as the festival city, he noted. The PM asked the province to devise a concrete action plan to implement Resolutions of the Party Central Committee, especially the … [Read more...] about Thua Thien-Hue should tap cultural heritage for growth: PM
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Cultural Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges
Cinet)- This regional meeting was organized by Office of the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, Korean Establishment Initiative for the Intangible Heritage Centre for Asia-Pacific (EIIHCAP) and Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) from 11-13 December, in Hue – Viet Nam. The conference focuses on case studies from the region illustrating the link between intangible heritage and sustainable cultural tourism. It aims to provide a platform for experts and practitioners to examine the most effective means of strengthening communities’ capacities to control and manage their own intangible heritage in the face of increased tourism. The key themes: 1. Handicrafts in the context of sustainable cultural tourism … [Read more...] about Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Cultural Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges
Hue culture takes centre stage
Hue culture takes centre stage (04-06-2008) An art performance at the Hue Festival 2008 opening ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan Hue — A series of art performances marked the opening ceremony of the nine-day Hue Festival at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) Square last night. Titled Dem Hoi Hoang Cung (Royal Palace Festival Night), it featured 60 Vietnamese art troupes and international ones. The main part of the show was titled Hoi Ngo Hoang Cung (Meeting at Royal Palace), and the concluding part Hue Ta (Our Hue). The organisers attempted to make the ceremony a blend of the culture of Hue, Viet Nam and other countries. Le Ngoc Cuong, director-in-chief of the ceremony, said the theme was integration and development. The Government's decision to recognise Hue as the country's festival hub was announced at the opening. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and other senior Party and State officials attended the ceremony. Themed Cultural Heritage with Integration and … [Read more...] about Hue culture takes centre stage