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| Residents of Hue taking pride not only in their history but also in the harmony of their natural landscape. Photo: Minh Anh |
Unique and vibrant
The Complex of Hue Monuments, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993, comprises more than 300 architectural works, including imperial palaces, mausoleums, pagodas, and historical relics. What sets Hue apart is the remarkable level of preservation of these structures, forming a distinctive architectural space. Rather than standing in isolation, these sites are integrated into a unified urban plan highly suggestive of the Nguyen Dynasty. From the encircling citadel to the main axes of the city, the entire layout creates a rare, large-scale “open-air museum.”
If tangible heritage forms the “backbone,” then intangible heritage is the “soul” of Hue. Royal Court Music (Nha nhac) – recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity – continues to be regularly performed. Hue-Singing takes place in traditional indoor settings or along the Perfume River. Traditional craft villages, such as bronze casting, incense making, and bamboo-rattan weaving, etc., continue to survive and evolve.
Hue’s royal and folk cuisine is another highlight, with hundreds of refined dishes still preserved and prepared daily. Traditional festivals such as Lantern Festival (Tet Nguyen Tieu), Ao-Dai Week, and Hue Festival have become defining cultural features. Together, they form a “living” cultural ecosystem rather than static museum exhibits.
A key strength of Hue lies in the close bond between community and heritage. Many families have lived around heritage sites for generations, becoming natural “custodians of tradition”. Hue residents not only take pride in their history but also express it through their lifestyle, language, attire, and everyday conduct. This human element gives Hue’s heritage the quality of a living, evolving entity.
Hue’s moderate urban scale is also an advantage. The entire heritage area can be explored on foot, by bicycle, tricycle, or electric bus, allowing visitors to slow down and immerse themselves in nature.
Much work ahead
To turn the vision of a “living museum” into reality, investment in smart infrastructure is essential. Authorities have had transportation systems, particularly inner-city roads and parking facilities, upgraded. The next step is to expand public bus networks connecting heritage sites, alongside applying smart technologies in heritage management and visitor services.
Hue also has favorable conditions for developing high-quality human resources. Its professional tour guides, with deep knowledge of local history and culture, are a strong asset. Going forward, vocational training for local communities, especially in traditional craft villages, should be strengthened to both preserve skills and create sustainable livelihoods.
Cultural events such as Hue Festival, Ao-Dai Week, and Royal Cuisine Festival have been successfully organized, attracting tourists while providing a platform for communities to showcase their cultural identity. The next step is to consistently embed the message: “Hue – A Living Museum City,” supported by coordinated, multi-platform communication campaigns that leverage social media to reach younger, experience-seeking travelers.
For tourism businesses, the focus should shift toward deeper experiential offerings rather than simple site visits. Tours such as “Living like ancient Hue residents”, “Learning royal cuisine”, “Practicing Hue folk singing”, or “Becoming a traditional craftsman” can deliver unique value found nowhere else.
Community-based tourism and homestays in village areas, especially those near royal tombs, should not be overlooked. These allow visitors to live with local families, experience daily life, and participate in cultural and production activities. Beyond generating income, this model helps preserve culture naturally.
Tourism and service enterprises should also consider investing in “give-back” programs, where a portion of revenue is allocated to heritage conservation and community support. This not only enhances corporate image but also contributes to sustainable development.
Hue’s most “pressing” challenge seems to be building a connected network among accommodation providers, restaurants, transport services, and handicraft businesses to create a complete value chain. Visitors should enjoy a seamless journey from arrival to departure.
At the same time, accelerating digital transformation is crucial, starting with building customer databases to personalize services, track visitor trends and feedback, and continuously improve the quality of tourism products.