More than three decades after UNESCO inscribed the Complex of Hue Monuments as a World Cultural Heritage Site (1993), nearly 200 structures and components have been restored, helping turn heritage into a resource for development in the new period.

On the morning of August 28, Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR), in collaboration with Quang Tri Province People’s Committee and Hue People’s Committee, officially launched the ‘Phong Nha - Hue Imperial City: A World Heritage Journey’ tourist train at Dong Hoi Railway Station. Later that day, Hue City welcomed the train and held a ceremony to mark its arrival.

Hue is a heritage city, but Hue’s cultural strength does not lie solely in its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, or historic architecture. Behind these tangible forms of heritage lies a vibrant world of music, festivals, beliefs, traditional crafts, cuisine, clothing, and folk knowledge. This is the ‘soul’ that gives Hue its distinctive identity.

After a period of preparation, the Hue - Phong Nha heritage train will officially be launched on August 28. Notably, starting August 17, the railway sector has begun selling tickets for the HQ1/HQ2 train pair, named ‘World Heritage Journey’, connecting Hue Ancient Capital with Phong Nha - Ke Bang.

From July 16 to 21, a delegation from Hue City, led by Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Tran Huu Thuy Giang, attended the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC48) in Busan, South Korea. During the visit, the delegation also organized a series of large-scale cultural and tourism promotion events in Seoul and Busan.

Having withstood countless historical upheavals, tens of thousands of precious Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks were inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2009, becoming Viet Nam’s first World Documentary Heritage. They are currently preserved under strict archival conditions at the National Archives Center No. IV in Da Lat (now located in Cam Ly Ward, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province).

As heritage cities around the world search for sustainable development models, the concept of a “living museum city” is emerging as a direction many localities aspire to. With its distinctive cultural heritage and unique identity, Hue has every potential to become a typical example of this model.

Two world heritage cities - York (the UK) and Kyoto (Japan) - have been implementing Net Zero tourism models that Hue can refer and adapt to its local context.

As part of the 5th Regional Conference of Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) - Asia-Pacific Region, the discussion session on the afternoon of October 15th became one of the most notable highlights of the event. The exchange focused on policies, management experience, and solutions to improve quality of life in cities endowed with unique heritage values.

After three days of active and effective working, the 5th Organization of World Heritage Cities Asia-Pacific (OWHC-AP) Regional Conference officially concluded on October 16. The event brought together more than 50 delegates from 7 countries, including mayors, experts, and representatives of member cities in the region.

Nearly 200 years since EmperorMinh Mang ordered the casting, the Nine Dynastic Urns were successfully created in 1837; the value of the national treasure, the Nine Dynastic Urns, has surpassed the stature of the nation and the era, worthy of being a heritage of humanity.