At Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum 2026, the thematic session ‘From Heritage Conservation to Cultural Industries: Unlocking Potential and Connecting Opportunities for Local Cooperation’ highlighted how heritage is increasingly being seen as a resource for development when connected with communities, technology, tourism and cultural industries.

Rather than focusing on sheer visitor numbers, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center is shifting its service strategy at the Imperial City and other heritage sites toward product selectivity and enhanced visitor experiences, to attract high-spending tourists.

As Phu Dien Tower, a National-level Architectural and Artistic Relic, faces growing challenges from climate change and natural disasters, experts have proposed a number of conservation measures, including studying options to raise the entire tower structure or foundation, and installing pumping and drainage systems.

On August 19 and September 2, Vietnamese citizens will be granted free admission to heritage sites managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center. The initiative offers an opportunity for visitors to explore Hue’s heritage during the public holidays, while gaining deeper understanding of the historical and cultural values of the Ancient Capital.

The Government’s issuance of Decree No. 282/2026/ND-CP on July 14th, 2026, to provide guidance for the implementation of Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16 on the development of Vietnamese culture and establishing criteria for piloting the cultural heritage city model, has opened up a new approach to the relationship between conservation and development.

On July 8, 2026, the Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 2376/QD-UBND approving the Project ‘Exploiting and Promoting the Value of the Complex of Hue Monuments to 2035’.

Climate change and increasingly extreme weather events are posing significant challenges to monument preservation. Hue Today Weekend interviewed Mr. Le Cong Son, Deputy Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, regarding proactive solutions to mitigate risks to Hue’s heritage.

Many royal decrees, Han-Nom manuscripts, and cadastral records preserved in Hue have suffered gradual deterioration due to the impacts of time and climatic conditions. Restoration and conservation work has therefore become a means of safeguarding these valuable documents, allowing their historical values to continue to be passed down to future generations.

On the morning of July 24, the Department of Tourism coordinated with Hue Monuments Conservation Center to present gifts to Ms. Ha Phuong and her son in recognition of their 790-km walk from Hanoi to Hue as a gesture of encouragement.

Many valuable archival materials of the Nguyen Dynasty, as well as Hue’s historic structures and rituals, remain scattered across museums, archival centers, and private collections abroad. Through international cooperation and connections with researchers and cultural organizations, Hue is working to bring these archival resources home to support the restoration, conservation, and reconstruction of its heritage.