The Imperial Academy, once served as the headquarters of Hue Museum of History, has now been fully handed over to Hue Monuments Conservation Center for management. Though it quietly awaits its “revival” after many historical changes, the academy - the first “royal university” of the Nguyen Dynasty - still radiates an aura of solemnity and pride.
Introducing a series of photographs by authors Hoang Hai and Phan Thanh, Hue Today Weekly seeks to convey an age-old philosophy that remains ever relevant: “Hien tai la nguyen khi quoc gia” (“Virtuous and talented people are the nation’s vitality”). It is hoped that once restored, the Imperial Academy will not only stand as a symbol of Hue’s scholarly spirit but also become a distinctive cultural and educational space amid the city’s vibrant contemporary life.
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| Commending “Distinguished Students of the School” at the Imperial Academy grounds |
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| A panoramic view of the Imperial Academy from above |
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| Traces of time-worn decay |
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| The Hoc Ta (Left Row of Classrooms) beside Di Luan Duong hall - where Nguyen Dynasty scholars once studied |
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| Historical artifacts display area when the site served as headquarters of Hue Museum of History |
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| Di Luan Duong Hall - the central building of the Imperial Academy |