On a pure morning, I bumped into groups of visitors strolling along the path leading into Hue Imperial Citadel. Cradling her camera in both hands, Ms. Marie, a French tourist, asked the guide in a gentle voice: “May I… try on Vietnam’s traditional costume?”. That question seemed to open an unexpected journey for them, an experience that felt as if they could touch the ancient soul of Hue

On the evening of February 11 (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), in the shimmering garden setting of the Royal Treasury Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the “Royal Tet” program, opening a spring celebration space rich in ancient royal tradition. Being held over two nights, February 11 and 12, the program attracted a large number of locals and visitors.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, when streets are awash in the golden hues of apricot blossoms, young people once again eagerly enter the season of photo hunting. From the Imperial Citadel, ancient pagodas, and Dong Ba Market to cafes decorated in spring colors, every street corner and every space become a backdrop for capturing beautiful moments. Tet photos not only mark the transition between the old year and the new, but also reflect the vibrant, youthful rhythm of life in the heart of the Ancient Capital.

The heritage space of Hue’s Imperial Citadel is being retold in a new language, the language of technology. At the Royal Treasury Palace, stories of the past are no longer meant solely to be observed, but also to be touched, listened, and experienced, opening up a gentle, emotionally resonant way of engaging with the heritage of Hue Ancient Capital.

As the old saying goes, “vải Trạng cung Diên, nhãn lồng Phụng Tiên” (Trang Lychees from the Cung Dien area; spathe-wrapped longans from Phung Tien, a former royal garden district). Today, Hue’s longan season still preserves its original sweetness, enticing those passing the ancient citadel to pause and savor the taste.

The lush lawns and shaded canopies of ancient trees in the Imperial Citadel, Co Ha Garden, or Thieu Phuong Garden are not naturally self-sustained. Behind that serene beauty lies the quiet dedication of dozens of workers who care daily for every tree and flowerbed, helping preserve the “green soul” of Hue’s heritage.

For three nights, from April 25 to 27, at Di Nhien Duong Pavilion - an ancient architectural structure in Thieu Phuong Garden - within Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center collaborated with the Doi Dep tea brand to organize the program “Re-enacting the scene of the emperors hosting tea party for his mandarins” as part of the launch of the Royal tea enjoyment service.

During the journey to Hue at the beginning of the Year of Snake, many tourists consider the Hue Imperial Citadel as a must-visit destination. Despite the cold weather with occasional rain and sunshine, tourists still want to spend much time checking-in the Royal Citadel and immerse themselves into various activities to gain vivid feelings about the traditional Tet in the Ancient Capital.

It may seem easy to dream of a day when Gia Hoi “revives,” not only preserving its essence and cultural heritage values, but also seizing the opportunity for this ancient quarter to develop. The preservation of heritage values in this ancient quarter located east of the Hue Citadel, however, is facing many challenges and conflicts.

On December 18th, at Ruong House Space within the Interior Palace area of Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) in collaboration with Comicola and Phygital Labs officially launched the experience area and introduced the “Imperial Ancient Capital Archaeology Chronicles” project.