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.

While Hue Imperial City and the mausoleums of the Nguyen emperors are remnants of a far-off dynasty, the old quarters of Bao Vinh and Gia Hoi are the unfaded imprints of inhabitants’ life of the ancient capital.

Just a stone’s throw from the Citadel, the Gia Hoi old quarter used to be one of the busiest areas of Hue ancient capital in early 19th century. This invaluable heritage is being ruined day by day with time while how to conserve and promote it is still a big question.