THỪA THIÊN HUẾ — Huế holds significant advantages in leveraging its heritage as a foundation for green and digital economic growth.

The Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, in collaboration with the Korean Institute of Architectural & Urban Research and SMC Huế Company, last week hosted a forum under the theme: "Strategic Directions for Heritage Economy, Green Economy, and Digital Economy Development in Thừa Thiên Huế Province".

The forum brought together experts, researchers, representatives of international organisations, and delegates from various domestic and international sectors. 

Discussions centred on the green economy, heritage economy, and digital economy, offering strategic directions for sustainable development. 

These strategies aim to promote digital transformation, build digital data infrastructure, and develop cultural industries while preserving and enhancing the cultural value of Huế’s heritage.

As a unique economic domain of Thừa Thiên Huế Province, the heritage economy plays a pivotal role in the context of modernisation and global integration.

Hoàng Việt Trung, director of the Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, emphasised that with eight UNESCO World Heritage titles, including six uniquely its own, Huế occupies a special position not only in Việt Nam but across Southeast Asia.

Huế’s exceptional advantage lies in the diversity and interconnectedness of its heritage assets. 

The complex of Huế monuments is more than an architectural marvel. It preserves court music, poetic inscriptions on architecture, embossed motifs on bronze urns, hydraulic systems, scenic landscapes, and greenery. 

This interplay offers a comprehensive cultural experience that distinguishes it from standalone heritage sites in other regions.

"This opens up opportunities for multidimensional experiential tourism, combining sightseeing, art appreciation, and historical learning. Moreover, the coexistence of tangible and intangible heritage enables Huế to cultivate a unique cultural and creative industry," said Trung.

The planning of Huế’s heritage includes 30 identified values categorised into four types, including cultural, historical, and human values of Huế; architectural and artistic values; ecological, scenic, and positional values; and social values.

These values provide Huế with a foundation to leverage its heritage for green and digital economic benefits.

Green economic development

One notable example is the Heritage Medicine Space – Thái Y viện (the Imperial Medical Institute). 

Historically, it was where the Nguyễn Dynasty's royal family received healthcare, and it holds a treasure trove of traditional remedies and royal medical knowledge.

According to Trung, the institute is not only a cultural symbol but also an economic resource for tourism and traditional medicine services.

"Visitors can engage in therapeutic programmes such as acupressure, steam baths, and using traditional remedies. It could also evolve into a research and application centre for traditional medicine integrated with modern medicine, generating revenue from health tourism while preserving and promoting traditional medicine professions," Trung said.

The waterways within the Citadel, connecting to the Ngự Hà and Đông Ba rivers, also represent a unique heritage asset with historical significance and vast economic potential. 

These waterways could support activities like river tours, dining services, and historical reenactments using modern technologies to attract visitors.

Meanwhile, Thượng Thành, part of the Huế Citadel, offers not only historical value but also potential for experiential tourism activities such as cycling, walking, and outdoor excursions. 

Combined with its surrounding greenery, the area enables visitors to explore its historical functions and features, such as bastions and moats.

Festivals are also a highly effective way to promote Huế’s cultural heritage domestically and internationally. These events foster cultural exchange, stimulate tourism demand, and generate economic value through associated services.

Annual, four-season, and thematic festivals have created socioeconomic benefits for the province by attracting domestic and international tourists to participate in events. 

They also provide opportunities for businesses and artisans to showcase their products and services, enhancing Huế’s reputation as a world-class cultural destination.

"We can see that developing the green and digital economies is not only an urgent requirement but also an opportunity for Huế to maximise its landscape and ecological values," Trung concluded. - VNS