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| Students experience printing with the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock patterns |
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of Hue Monuments of Conservation Center, shared that this year’s activities will be concentrated at the Secret Council space (the Three Offices) at No.33 Tong Duy Tan Street, Phu Xuan Ward. “We hope that Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day will become an occasion for the community to better understand and connect with Hue’s heritage, not just through images or stories, but through real, hands-on experiences,” said Mr. Trung.
From November 21 to 23, the heritage education program with the theme “Exploring the Secret Council and Experiencing Hue’s Heritage Forms” will welcome students from all grades in the area. They will get the opportunity to visit and learn about the Secret Council through display systems, information panels, and images. In addition to exploring the heritage, students will participate in experiences such as Listening to Royal Court Music, playing traditional court games (dau ho, xam huong, bai vu, etc.), and printing with Nguyen Dynasty woodblock patterns and motifs.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is a series of exhibitions running from November 21 to 27, including: the “Donated Artifacts” exhibition, “Hue Features 3” painting exhibition, and the exhibition “Nguyen Dynasty Secret Council (1834-1945): A Journey Through Space and Governance Imprints”.
Among them, the “Donated Artifacts” exhibition, led by Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, features about 50 representative artifacts made from various materials, donated by organizations and individuals from 1995 to the present. This is the first time the museum has organized a large-scale exhibition to honor the spirit of heritage donation, a cultural value that is increasingly being positively embraced by the community.
According to Deputy Director of the Museum Truong Quy Man, among the artifacts on display this time are valuable items related to Emperor Ham Nghi, as well as some artifacts donated by royal family members living abroad or transferred by private collectors, etc.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung stated that, in recent times, many organizations and individuals have shown special attention and collaborated with the Center to repatriate valuable Nguyen Dynasty artifacts to the Ancient Capital. These contributions not only help preserve and safeguard cultural heritage but also create opportunities for its values to be more widely shared with the community and visitors. This exhibition also serves as an occasion to honor those who have quietly preserved and entrusted the heritage to Hue.
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| Hue Monuments of Conservation Center receiving 2 garments belonging to Dowager. Tu Cung presented by Mr. Pham Xuan Cuong (the authorized representative) |
Specifically, the exhibition “Nguyen Dynasty’s Secret Council”, which was developed by the Scientific Research Department, for the first time presents a comprehensive overview of the formation and operations of the highest authority agency during the Nguyen Dynasty, covering its establishment, operational functions, and activities from its inception to the present.
The “Hue Features 3” exhibition, organized by the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum in collaboration with the University of Arts - Hue University, showcases around 40 works by lecturers, artists, and students, offering a fresh perspective on the beauty of the Ancient Capital.
Alongside the exhibition activities, Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities will also organize the program “Hao khi Can Vuong” (Heroic Spirit of Can Vuong Movement) for students of Tran Cao Van and Thong Nhat secondary schools in the first week of December, commemorating the 140th anniversary of Emperor Ham Nghi issuing the Can Vuong edict (1885-2025). The program will be supported by Hue researchers and representatives of the Nguyen Phuc royal family. This is considered an effective experiential education model, helping students engage with history in a more vivid and inspiring way.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of Hue Monuments of Conservation Center, stated that in the long-term plan, the Secret Council space, Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, and Quoc Tu Giam will be developed into an integrated education - culture - research complex. These three important heritage sites will be connected into a unified entity, contributing to the overall preservation of the Ancient Capital’s monuments while creating an attractive cultural tour route for visitors.
According to the plan, in December 2025, the project “Conservation and Adaptive Restoration of Quoc Tu Giam - Hue Imperial Citadel” will be set to work. Upon completion, Quoc Tu Giam, Long An Palace, and Secret Council will be linked into a unified ensemble, creating a heritage space that is properly preserved while also meeting the community’s needs for learning, research, and cultural experiences.
At the same time, the project “Restoration, Conservation, and Adaptive Revival of Van Mieu Monument” will also begin. Once restored and put into use, Van Mieu is expected to become a distinctive cultural destination, suitable for hosting traditional educational activities, reviving Confucian rites, honoring talented scholars, and promoting learning. It will contribute to reviving the foundational values of Confucianism culture in Hue.