Unveiling of an ancient stone slab that read “Đoan Gia” in the Imperial Citadel

For over two decades devoted to mother-of-pearl inlay work, Phan Tan Dat, born 1992, has transformed seashells into shimmering masterpieces on horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, guarding screens... preserving the complete ancient soul of Hue.

Although familiar to collectors and enthusiasts of antiques, visitors still cannot help but feel overwhelmed when standing before the artifacts displayed at the exhibition “Jade and Ivory in Religious Art” at the Museum of Nguyen Dynasty Porcelains (114 Mai Thuc Loan Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

In 2012, I first visited Chi Linh - Hai Duong and toured Con Son pagoda. Having had the opportunity to visit and worship at many pagodas across Vietnam, Con Son pagoda left a deep impression on me from the very first glance, due to its scenery, its ancient charm, and an unexplainable sense of sacred understanding. Returning in 2025, that feeling remains as intact as the first time. I respectfully share with readers some photos of this ancient pagoda, which is over 700 years old. And if you have the chance, let you visit once to admire and contemplate.

On May 22nd, during his working visit to Vietnam, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, toured several heritage sites in Hue including the Imperial Citadel, the Museum of Royal Antiquities, and An Dinh Palace to conduct a field survey and learn about the management, conservation and promotion of World Cultural Heritage values ​​in the locality.

On April 21st, a delegation from Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a working session with Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) to discuss the National Target Program for Cultural Development.