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| Students eagerly participating in the “Who is the Wise Historian” program |
A complete “Heritage Curriculum”
At the closing ceremony and awards presentation of the 15th Hue City Technical Innovation Contest, the project “Heritage Education Program Materials for General Education Students at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities” won Second Prize among 106 entries, including 42 in the education category. The award is seen as well-deserved recognition for the sustained dedication of the museum’s heritage education team.
Launched in 2018 through a partnership between Hue Monuments of Conservation Center and the Department of Education and Training, the heritage education program has so far reached 163 schools across the area. However, for many years, supporting materials for school-based heritage education at the museum remained fragmented and ad hoc. Every time a school paid a visit, the museum must design new activities and content, as there was no standardized set of materials to ensure consistency.
Drawing on practical experience, the research team set out to develop a structured set of materials, systematically organizing all learning resources in accordance with the 2018 General Education Curriculum. Compiled over two years (2023-2024), the materials were finalized and refined in 2025 based on real-world implementation.
According to the assessment of the organizing committee, the set of materials’ highlight is its ability of “transform” the heritage, traditionally regarded as a field requiring depth, into visual, accessible knowledge for students. Historical narratives, imperial motifs, and artifacts associated with the Nguyen Dynasty are integrated into lessons through engaging activities such as games, storytelling, simulations, and heritage decoding.
Deputy Director of the Museum and project lead Truong Quy Man said that through the program, students not only listen to explanations but also observe, experience, and take on roles. They learn through sight, feel through hands-on engagement, and remember through the stories of heritage itself.
A Driving Force for Continued Innovation
The award is not only a professional recognition but also a major source of encouragement for the institution’s heritage education team. “The Second Prize reflects the community’s strong appreciation of heritage education for the younger generation. It motivates us to continue our research, innovate our approaches, and enhance the quality of conveying the historical, cultural, and artistic values of Hue Ancient Capital,” said Mr. Man.
Rather than treating the materials as a “rigid textbook”, the project team aims to build a bridge between heritage and students, helping them perceive heritage as vivid, relatable, and relevant to contemporary life.
The materials comprise 14 heritage education programs tailored to 12 grade levels from primary to high school, featuring 43 games and experiential activities.
Notably, the materials blend traditional imperial games, such as xam huong, bai vu, and dau ho, with modern activities including message relays, heritage puzzle assembly, rapid Q&A, and simulated exploration of architectural details…
As a result, students develop a range of competencies: self-directed learning through observing motifs and identifying artifacts; communication and collaboration through group activities; creative problem-solving through questioning, critical thinking, and expressing ideas; as well as aesthetic appreciation and emotional engagement when exploring imperial art.
“Heritage education is not merely about learning history; it also fosters love for one’s homeland and a sense of national pride,” said Ms. Truong Bao Anh, Deputy Head of the Museum’s Research, External Relations, and Communications Division.
Notably, the materials draw directly on on-site resources at Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, including Long An Palace, Cham exhibition area, and the exhibition space “Emperor Ham Nghi: Life and Art”. Lessons are developed around the very artifacts, architecture, decorative motifs, and historical narratives of the objects on display.
However, this is an open set of materials. Based on the core structure, or “teaching format”, other localities can flexibly substitute the content with their own distinctive heritage.
“For example, at the primary level, we teach students to recognize imperial motifs of Hue. Other localities can easily replace these with patterns found at their own monuments or communal houses. As the materials are developed in line with the 2018 General Education Curriculum, they are highly adaptable. This universality is precisely why the project was nominated for the 18th National Technical Innovation Contest (2024–2025)”, said Ms. Bao Anh.
According to the project lead Truong Quy Man, the heritage education materials at the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities serve as a learning resource that is both scientifically grounded and practically oriented. Despite certain limitations during implementation, the compilation, publication, and application of the materials have helped standardize and professionalize the Museum’s heritage education activities, replacing the previously ad hoc approach. Through stories of historical figures and displayed artifacts, students acquire knowledge in a vivid, visual manner, and more importantly, they can develop a lasting affection for Hue’s cultural heritage.