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| Finding puzzle pieces on the Nine Dynastic Urns in a physical challenge game of the “Reforms of Emperor Minh Mang” program |
At the Nguyen Dynasty’s Privy Council (Co Mat Vien - Tam Toa) relic site, Hue Monuments Conservation Center, and Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities recently collaborated with Hai Ba Trung High School and Nguyen Hue High School to organize a heritage education program themed “Reforms of Emperor Minh Mang”.
The relic space was transformed into an open classroom, where nearly 200 11th-grade students directly participated in experiential activities. Instead of passively listening to lectures, they took on roles, engaged in physical activities, and solved challenges to access historical knowledge.
A highlight was the game “Making the Nation Prosper”, which recreated key reform measures of Emperor Minh Mang through a sequence of interconnected tasks, such as decoding secret messages, solving problems, and teamworking. Through these tasks, they gained a better understanding of major administrative and governance reforms during the Nguyen Dynasty.
The lively atmosphere continued throughout the program. Many students said this approach helped them “remember longer and understand more deeply” compared to traditional classroom learning.
Meanwhile, the quiz competition “Ring the knowledge bell - An outstanding reformer” featured interdisciplinary questions, requiring students to apply their knowledge of history, geography, and culture. As a result, a clearer and more systematic picture of the Nguyen Dynasty and the reform efforts of Emperor Minh Mang gradually emerged.
Le Ho Khanh Quynh (class 11A8, Hai Ba Trung High School) shared that she was particularly impressed by Emperor Minh Mang’s reforms, especially in the field of administration. “After joining the program, I find history much more fascinating and hope there will be more experiential activities like this,” said Quynh.
According to Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hang, a history teacher at Nguyen Hue High School, heritage education serves as a bridge connecting tradition and modernity, helping students gain a deeper understanding of the nation's history and culture. It is also an opportunity for teachers to innovate their methods, taking lessons out of the classroom and connecting them to real life.
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, Deputy Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, noted that the heritage education program has grown both in scale and depth. From initially scattered activities, it has now developed into a system of 25 themes tailored to different educational levels.
In addition to the “Reforms of Emperor Minh Mang” program for high school students, the “Can Vuong tremendous spirit” (“Hao khi Can Vuong”) program is designed for secondary school students. Various contents and skills are integrated, allowing students to learn history while also accessing life knowledge and practical skills, such as exploring trees in the Imperial Citadel, learning traditional and modern tree care processes, and engaging in creative activities like heritage coloring, art memory games, and 3D model design, etc. These activities make the lessons more engaging.
Digital transformation in heritage education has also been focused, with the development of digital learning materials, videos, 3D images, and a “virtual museum tour” model. This enables students, especially those in remote areas, to easily access and explore Hue’s cultural heritage.
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung also expressed his hope that, in the future, such programs will be carried out not only by the Center but also with the involvement of many other sectors.
They could include culinary experts introducing royal cuisine, ao dai designers opening their showrooms for students to learn about the history and tailoring process, or traditional artisans sharing their crafts. These experiences would contribute to building a comprehensive understanding of heritage in everyday life.
“We hope that heritage education will be not only Hue’s own story, but also a story of the entire nation. Thereby, it will influence the awareness, behavior, and lifestyle of younger generations, helping them build their character and foster a love of beauty inspired by heritage,” emphasized Mr. Trung.