Monuments turn into “open classrooms”
Heritage education is more than an extracurricular activity; it should be regarded as an essential component of holistic education. Once Hue heritage becomes an “open classroom,” where students learn through experience, emotion, and interaction, cultural values will be transmitted naturally, sustainably, and with lasting influence in society.
The greatest value heritage offers students is not merely historical knowledge, but the shaping of character and cultural identity. It helps them see who they are, where they come from, and what responsibilities they hold toward the community. Through this awareness, they cultivate national pride, reverence for the past, and a spirit of preservation and creativity, allowing heritage to adapt to the demands of a new era.
 |
| Students engage in hands-on heritage coloring with German expert Ms Andrea Teufel |
Over the years, the Center has implemented heritage education in schools across Hue City through the following formats: self-guided heritage visits and learning programs; on-request visit and experiential programs at the Hue heritage site (based on content developed by the Center); and other heritage education programs. In 2025, 60,880 students at all levels in Hue, together with 4,176 teachers, participated in heritage education programs in the Ancient Capital of Hue.
Programs such as heritage visits, traditional games, and interactive learning activities attract tens of thousands of students every year. Organized widely from primary through lower and upper secondary levels, these activities allow students to experience more deeply the history and culture of the Ancient Capital. Preschool children and students are increasingly afforded direct exposure to heritage, broadening their understanding and cultivating an early appreciation for local culture.
Through activities such as watching court art performances, experiencing traditional musical instruments, participating in traditional games related to the history of Hue, taking part in on-site visits to historical monuments, and engaging in various interactive activities, many students express interest, curiosity, and a desire to learn more about heritage. These activities help transform dry historical knowledge into engaging experiences, stimulating curiosity and fostering appreciation for heritage among students.
Since 2011, Hue has gradually introduced heritage education. However, the most significant obstacle continues to be the distance between heritage and the school environment, caused by insufficient connection between heritage content and the general education program. Heritage is sometimes “academized”; the curriculum is overloaded; intermediary personnel for heritage education are lacking; awareness is inconsistent... Above all, heritage has not been systematically and flexibly incorporated into mainstream classroom instruction.
For years, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has been seen as a national frontrunner in heritage education associated with schools, marked by diverse innovative models and approaches.
 |
| Heritage drawing class for students |
Heritage sites are transformed into “open classrooms,” serving as visual aids and lively illustrations. In Hue, students are not simply brought for visits, but engage in on-site learning: studying the history of the Nguyen Dynasty within the Imperial Citadel; exploring architecture and art at royal mausoleums and palaces; learning court rituals at The Mieu and Dien Thai Hoa… That is, students “touch” authentic spaces rather than merely reading textbooks.
Interactive experiential programs have been developed, such as “Young Archaeologist” under the De Do Khao Co Ky (Chronicles of Imperial Capital Archaeology) program, featuring artifact study and simulated reconstruction; and “Young Nha Nhac (Royal Court Music) Musician,” in which students practice court percussion instruments and perform with the Tieu Nhac (Minor Court Music) ensemble; as well as calligraphy experiences, making rubbings of the Nine Dynastic Urns, and coloring court decorative motifs… In essence, students assume roles, practice, explore, and pose questions themselves instead of listening to one-way explanations.
The Center has worked in coordination to build heritage education programs for different grade levels; conduct training and discussions with teachers; and develop heritage teaching materials and curricula suited to each age group. Consequently, heritage may serve as a formal educational resource, no longer limited to visits or entertainment.
The greatest success of the Hue model lies in transforming heritage from an object of preservation and display into an educational tool: from static to dynamic, from museum space to everyday life. On that basis, it nurtures a love for heritage from an early age, fostering a sustainable sense of conservation and moving toward the development of a future heritage public.
Nurturing love, inspiring creativity
Hue is a pioneering locality and among the few nationwide to implement a free admission policy for students in the city, adopted by the local People’s Council in 2011. Starting in 2026, it will continue granting a 100% exemption of entrance fees for students nationwide and a 50% reduction for university students across the country. The younger generation, therefore, has the opportunity and favorable conditions to access heritage.
 |
| Students visit antiquities at Dien Tho Palace (Longevity Palace) in Dai Noi (Imperial City) |
With early access to heritage for students in Hue and nationwide, a young generation may take shape—one that understands its origins profoundly while also having the creativity to revitalize traditional values. Thus, there is hope for the development of cultural pride and awareness of protection: early engagement with heritage enables students to perceive clearly the historical, aesthetic, and spiritual values handed down by their ancestors, building respect, pride, and a sense of responsibility for preservation.
Awareness of heritage cultivates identity and character, as heritage is not confined to artifacts or festivals, but represents a system of moral values, lifestyles, and social conduct. It helps shape a harmonious character that bridges tradition and modernity. Simultaneously, heritage can spark creativity and cultural start-ups, allowing the younger generation to draw inspiration for design, the arts, creative tourism, and digital media, thereby creating new value for society.
It should be added that society needs solutions to sustainably nurture a love for heritage by integrating heritage into education in a dynamic manner; applying technology and digital communication; digitizing heritage and developing virtual tours, short videos, podcasts, and gamified historical and cultural content to align with young people’s information consumption habits; encouraging students to create heritage-related content on social media platforms; linking conservation with livelihoods and career opportunities; and ensuring that families, schools, and society work together to create a healthy cultural environment that honors young role models active in heritage conservation.
Finally, it should be asserted that once heritage is transformed into educational resources, young people will encounter it from an early age—not merely to acquire knowledge, but, more importantly, to understand, appreciate, and take action. If properly oriented, today’s students can serve as a key force in safeguarding and revitalizing heritage through diverse approaches, thereby contributing to the development of a Vietnamese culture that proactively integrates into the process of development.