ThuaThien-Hue (VNA) – The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and theWaseda University of Japan reviewed their joint research on cultural,historical and ecological features, potential and special values of the Nguyendynasty’s royal tombs at a recent meeting.

Theresearch, which was conducted from 2016 to 2018, focused on the tomb of KingGia Long (1762-1820) and its adjacent areas in Huong Tho commune, Huong Tradistrict, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

TheWaseda University handed over documents relating to the research to the centreto serve the study, conservation and restoration work as well as the buildingof dossiers re-nominating the Hue Monuments Complex as world cultural heritage. 

Thejoint group also proposed solutions to preserve the complex sustainably intandem with local socio-economic development.

Besides,they have piloted an eco-study tour around King Gia Long’s tomb, aiming toraise public awareness of protecting, using and managing cultural landscape resourcesin the area of royal tombs in a sustainable manner, and create livelihoods forlocal people.

Thetwo sides are consulting the provincial Department of Tourism, and some localtravel organisations, associations and companies about the pilot eco-studytours at King Gia Long’s tomb.

Thenew tour is expected to give new experiences to tourists to Hue ancient capitalcity.

In 2018, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centreearned 381.7 billion VND (16.4 million USD) from serving over 3.5 milliontourists, up 19 percent compared to the target set.

The centre has implemented 24 restorationprojects with total investment exceeding 278.8 billion VND (11.9 million USD).

Hue, which was the imperial capital of Vietnamfor hundreds of years, is home to five heritages recognised by UNESCO,including the ancient citadel relic complex (a World Cultural Heritage site),Hue royal court music (an intangible cultural heritage item), Nguyen Dynasty’s woodblocks (a documentary heritage item), Nguyen Dynasty’s royal administrativedocuments (part of the Asia-Pacific Register of UNESCO’s Memory of the WorldProgramme), and literature on Hue royal architecture (another documentaryheritage).

The Hue imperial citadel relic site has beenranked second among the top seven tourist attractions of Vietnam in 2017. –VNA