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| Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tung (second, from right) discussing at the seminar |
The seminar was organized by Hue University Publishing House and the Hue Book and Cultural Club, attracting the participation of experts, researchers, and a great number of Hue culture lovers.
Hue Ancient Capital is known as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in the history of Vietnam. Since the late 19th century, with the establishment of French colonial power, the urban landscape of Hue underwent significant changes. While the northern bank of the Perfume River, with Hue Imperial Citadel remained the center of Nguyen Dynasty power, a new urban area gradually took shape on the southern bank. This new urban space carried the imprint of Western architecture, reflecting the urban planning and management strategies of the colonial government.
According to Dr. Tung, Le Loi Quarter was once known as the “Western Quarter” of Hue. Along this quarter, numerous office buildings, administrative centers, commercial establishments, educational institutions, and villas featuring (and blending) Western architectural styles were built, contributing to a new urban landscape for Hue in the early 20th century.
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tung, together with his associates, surveyed and studied 89 French colonial architectural works in Hue City to provide a comprehensive view of the work of urban and architectural development during this period. These buildings were categorized into various representative styles, such as Pre-colonial, Neoclassical, French Vernacular, Art Deco, and Indochine architecture. Along with this, the team conducted detailed research and analysis of the formation process of Le Loi Quarter, its urban planning changes, and its impact on the development of Hue’s urban landscape afterward.
“In the current context, as many French colonial architectural works are facing the risk of deterioration or being replaced by modern structures. Therefore, researching, documenting, and preserving these architectural and historical values have become even more urgent”, said Dr. Tung. Facing this situation, he hopes that the research carried out by him and his colleagues, will serve as a valuable reference for those interested in Hue’s French colonial architectural heritage and contribute to raising awareness about heritage conservation in the process of sustainable urban development.
By N. Minh