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| Mr. Le Cong Son, Deputy Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center |
Could you evaluate how natural disasters are affecting Hue’s historic sites, sir?
Mr. Le Cong Son: Disaster prevention is always a key priority for us before each storm season.
The centuries-old Hue Monuments feature mostly timber architecture with heavy roofing, yet the region regularly faces heavy downpours, storms, and flooding. Sustained rain leads to leaks and deteriorates wooden beams; strong winds strain roof structures, and floodwaters submerge heritage sites for long stretches.
Crucially, most of the monuments are located along the Perfume River, so when floodwaters rise, the impact is swift. This places immense pressure on conservation efforts, as many structures are already degraded, while restoration resources and timelines cannot yet keep pace.
Which of the sites are currently most vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding, sir?
They can be broadly categorized into three main groups.
First are the aging wooden structures. When subjected to prolonged submersion or water leaks, wooden components rapidly deteriorate, become susceptible to termites, and suffer a reduced lifespan.
Second is the system of citadel walls, embankments, and lakes - areas directly exposed to water flow and landslide risks during the rainy and flood season. Currently, many items within the monument complex still require intervention. Apart from the Imperial City enclosure wall, which is currently being surveyed for a comprehensive restoration project, other sites such as the Tuan Binh Ve (Inner Affairs Department), the Tombs of Tu Duc and Minh Mang, and the Thanh Binh Ancestral House all contain degraded structures. In particular, the Hon Chen Temple area faces severe landslide risks behind Minh Kinh Palace, requiring urgent countermeasures.
Third is the system of trees within the heritage sites. The Center currently manages over 80,000 trees, including nearly 8,000 ancient trees, with more than 1,000 requiring continuous monitoring due to age. Fallen trees not only damage the landscape but also risk destroying structures and threatening the safety of duty forces.
These are also the primary targets prioritized in the Center's annual disaster prevention plans.
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| The section of the Imperial City wall collapsed during the historic 2025 flood |
Following the collapse of a section of the Imperial City wall during the 2025 floods, what key issues must conservation work now reassess, sir?
For centuries-old structures, degradation and structural instability are almost inevitable. The key is to proactively identify risks rather than merely reacting after an incident has occurred.
Shortly after the collapse of the Imperial City wall section, the Center cordoned off the area and set up barricades to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. At the same time, we urgently conducted surveys and status assessments to formulate a recovery plan.
That experience made it clear that routine inspections and reviews must be conducted more frequently. This allows us to detect early signs of deterioration and intervene promptly, keeping potential risks to a minimum.
Drawing from these practical experiences, how has the Center shifted its approach, and what additional measures have been implemented ahead of each storm season?
Since early summer, the Center has surveyed all monument sites to assess risk levels for each structure and develop specific response scenarios.
For high-risk structures, we maintain cable-bracing systems with pre-installed connection points. When a storm approaches, local teams simply activate them to reinforce the buildings; after the storm passes, the gear is dismantled to preserve aesthetic appeal.
This year, units have been equipped with specialized gear to elevate artifacts according to varying flood levels. Each monument site has formulated its own scenario, clearly defining the number of artifacts and tailored protection plans corresponding to different water levels.
For immovable components such as wooden pillars and doors, local forces will initiate cleaning, drying, and anti-termite treatments immediately after floodwaters recede to minimize damage.
The Center will continue to reinforce embankments, prune trees, inspect electrical systems, and prepare backup generators, communication tools, boats, protective gear, and essential supplies under the "four-on-the-spot" principle. Currently, surveys and planning have been completed, and units are executing specific tasks ahead of the storm season.
From your perspective, how can science and technology support disaster prevention and heritage protection?
We identify technology as a crucial tool for shifting our strategy from reactive response to proactive prevention.
Currently, the Center is collaborating with the University of Sciences to research devices capable of detecting and providing early warnings for landslide or collapse risks along citadel walls and embankments. Early detection will grant us more time to implement corrective solutions before incidents occur.
In terms of greenery management, the Center has co-developed software to manage the tree system across heritage sites. To date, we have digitized nearly 7,000 trees across 10 monument sites, identifying 112 species and 109 tree lines. This includes 163 high-value conservation trees, nearly 2,500 Category 1 trees, over 2,500 Category 2 trees, and more than 1,600 Category 3 trees.
Through this database, operational units can monitor growth conditions, spot early signs of pests, decay, or safety hazards, and address them promptly. This is a strategic direction the Center will continue to build upon to enhance risk prevention efficiency moving forward.
In the face of climate change, what are your expectations for making Hue’s heritage conservation more proactive and sustainable, sir?
My primary expectation is for disaster forecasting and warnings to become more accurate, buying management teams critical time to prepare and roll out effective response measures.
Furthermore, we urgently need comprehensive investment in resources, specialized equipment, and funding so conservation work can make a decisive shift from reactive repair to early prevention. On a macro level, measures like protecting headwater forests, regulating water flow, and mitigating climate change impacts play a huge role in preserving heritage.
Above all, being proactive is what counts most. With early planning and suitable protocols in place, we can limit risks and better protect our heritage values.
Thank you, sir!