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| Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center visiting the Five Phoenix Pavilion |
Accompanying the delegation were Director General and Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Le Thi Hong Van, Head of the Culture Department at the UNESCO Hanoi Office Pham Thi Thanh Huong, members of the Secretariat, and leaders of relevant local departments.
At each heritage site, Mr. Lazare received briefings on the history, conservation, and restoration processes of major monuments such as the Imperial Citadel, Thai Hoa Palace, Kien Trung Palace, etc. Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung shared insights into the preservation of Hue's heritage sites from architectural restoration, intangible cultural preservation to technological applications and digital transformation.
“The preservation works not only safeguards heritage for future generations but also contributes to socioeconomic development, urban beautification, increased tourism revenue, and livelihoods for local communities,” Mr. Trung emphasized. Since 1982, nearly 200 structures within the Complex of Hue Monuments have been restored with a total investment exceeding VND 2,000 billion. Hue has also received over USD 10.5 million in technical and financial assistance from 15 governments, more than 50 NGOs, and numerous international partners via UNESCO cooperation channels.
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| Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo listening to an explanation of the original mural restoration techniques at An Dinh Palace |
At An Dinh Palace, a unique architectural structure that blends Eastern and Western styles, Representative from the German Conservation of Cultural Heritage Association Andrea Teufel introduced the ongoing interior conservation project. She particularly highlighted the current restoration efforts and outcomes of the Khai Tuong Pavilion roof, funded by the French Ministry of Culture and Government through UNESCO, as well as the vital role of the project in preserving the architectural and artistic value of the monument.
Building on this success, Hue Monuments Conservation Center is now implementing Phase 2 of the mural preservation project on the third floor of Khai Tuong Pavilion, with over VND 852 million in funding from the French Government via UNESCO.
On this occasion, Director Hoang Viet Trung expressed hopes that UNESCO would continue to support the Center, especially in preparing a proposal for a comprehensive restoration project for An Dinh Palace to be submitted for consideration and funding by the French Ministry of Culture and UNESCO. The project would not only enhance visitor experiences, community engagement, research, and education, but also enrich cultural and artistic events during the Hue Festival and international exchange programs, reinforcing Hue’s status as a distinguished cultural heritage hub in the region.