HO CHI MINH NATIONAL POLITICS ACADEMY
TRAN THI HONG MINH
Today’s preservation and development of
cultural Heritage IN THUA THIEN HUE
PROVINCE
Major: DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM & HISTORICAL
MATERIALISM
Code : 62 22 80 05
Summary of phd thesis
hanoi - 2014
The thesis is completed at
Ho Chi Minh National Politics Academy
Scientific supervisor: PROF. DR. NGUYEN HUNG HAU
Opponent 1:
Opponent 2:
Opponent 3:
The thesis will be defended in front of the Thesis Qualification Council at
Academy level at Ho Chi Minh National Politics Academy.
At hour on date month year 2014
The thesis can be found at the National Library
and Ho Chi Minh National Politics Academy
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FOREWORD
1. Necessity of the theme
TTH is an attractive national and international cultural and tourist
center of which two cultural heritages have been recognized as mankind
heritages by UNESCO. This place stores many physical and nonphysical
cultural heritages inside containing many values symbolizing the mind and
soul of Vietnamese people. Over the past years, with the consideration of
the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam,
together with the assistance from the international community, especially

cultural heritage in Vietnam at present. In particular, clarify the concepts
related to the thesis such as culture, cultural heritage, preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage.
- Study experience of some countries in the world on preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage. On that basis, withdraw experience lessons
for Vietnam in general and TTH province in particular.
- Analyze actual condition, some issues arising from the preservation
and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH at present. On that basis, the
thesis puts forth viewpoints as basis and some recommendations to
enhance efficiency of preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in
the locality in the coming time.
3. Object and scope of study of the thesis
3.1. Object of study
The thesis studies the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage
in TTH province from philosophical angle. It mainly studies the actual
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH based on typical
characteristics associated with the complex of Hue ancient capital
monuments managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center.
3.2. Scope of study
In terms of space: Through the actual field exploration, inheritance
from study results of the preceding works, the thesis author chooses and
focuses on surveying cultural heritages in TTH associated with Hue
ancient capital monuments complex.
In terms of time: Study the actual preservation and promotion of
values of cultural heritages in TTH with the data limited from 1996 to
2013, solutions for the period to 2020.
4. Theoretical basis and method of study of the thesis
- The thesis bases on theoretical basis of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi
Minh ideology and the viewpoints, guidelines and policies of the
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the social life, directive viewpoints by the Communist Party of Vietnam,
policies of the State of Vietnam on the conservation of cultural heritage,
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experience of some countries on the conservation of cultural heritage.
Scientific works have clarified the concepts of culture, cultural heritage
and preservation, promotion of national cultural heritage. The approach by
scientific works often goes from the concept of culture and cultural
heritage to discuss the establishment and development of Vietnamese
culture in the new period. The preservation and promotion of Vietnamese
culture have been mentioned by many scientific works. However, for TTH
province, there is no systematic scientific study. The thesis by the author
will inherit tool concepts: Culture, cultural heritage and the preservation,
promotion of national cultural heritage by the above scientific works to
realize the set objective and task.
1.2. DIRECT STUDIES ON THE PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION
OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THUA THIEN HUE AT PRESENT
1.2.1. From the historical angle
The studies have provided a more diversified addition to the thesis
author to access concretely and understand more about the architecture,
types of cultural heritage in TTH to put forth some recommendations to
protect, preserve and promote such cultural heritages effectively.
1.2.2. From the cultural study and cultural management angle
The articles have provided the author with an overall vision on the
achievements of the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage of TTH
in the present period.
As such, there are many scientific studies on the preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage with noteworthy achievements. Such
achievements are of reference value thus the author has inherited and
developed to complete the thesis themed: “Preservation and promotion of
cultural heritage in Thua Thien Hue at present”.

HERITAGE IN VIETNAM AT PRESENT - SOME THEORETICAL
AND PRACTICAL ISSUES
2.1. CULTURE, CULTURAL HERITAGE AND PRESERVATION,
PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN VIETNAM AT PRESENT
2.1.1. Concept of culture and cultural heritage
- Concept of culture
Starting from many approaches, there are various concepts and
explanations on culture. To reach the unanimity in perception, we put forth
the following definition to deal with the issues of the thesis: Culture is all
physical and spiritual values created, accumulated by the human in the
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practical and social operation. Such physical and spiritual values form the
social value system which is a key element to create the distinctive identity
of a social community. It can govern the psychological life and all
activities of the people living in such social community.
Concept of cultural heritage
Based on the documents issued by the Communist Party of Vietnam,
the State of Vietnam and the preceding authors on the cultural heritage that
we have generalized, it can be concluded that: Cultural heritage is the
combination of traditional cultural assets including physical culture and
physical culture in its value system, perceived by the subject, thereby
preserving and promoting it in order to meet the demands and needs of the
present life.
Cultural heritage contains the following factors: first, cultural heritage
contains experience and living knowledge of the people. Second, cultural
heritage signifies right, good and useful factors and qualities. Third,
cultural heritage expresses cultural phenomena. Forth, historic merit will
provide cultural heritage with time depth and type diversification.
2.1.2. Viewpoints of UNESCO, the Community Party of Vietnam
and the State of Vietnam on the preservation and promotion of

the preservation, inheritance and promotion of traditional cultural values
(scientific and folklore), revolutionary culture, including physical culture
and nonphysical culture”.
Second, the policies by the State of Vietnam on the preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage.
Right after gaining the independence, on 23 November 1945, State
President Ho Chi Minh signed and announced the decree No. 65/SL on the
conservation of ancient monuments all over Vietnam. In this decree, the term
“ancient monuments” is understood in the light of cultural heritage, including
physical culture and nonphysical culture. Since then, many legal documents
have been promulgated. The Constitution 1992 defined the responsibility of
the State, organizations and the people on the protection and promotion of
national cultural heritage.
With many objective and subjective factors, the Law on Cultural
Heritage that was passed by the 10
th
National Assembly, the 9
th
session on
14/6/2001 is regarded as the most complete document up to now on the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Vietnam. The Law
stipulates main contents such as concept and content of cultural heritage;
scope, object of adjustment of the Law; main policies and measures of the
State in order to protect cultural heritage; responsibility of the State
authority, organization, individual and the whole society in protecting
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cultural heritage; explain terms on cultural heritage and protection,
promotion of cultural heritages; define the people’s ownership managed by
the State and other forms of ownership for cultural heritage; objectives of
the utilization and promotion of cultural heritage; prohibitions to protect

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- In the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, the key role
of the State should be considered. There should be the appropriate
investment policy from the State. In the investment, it is necessary to take
into consideration the rank and level such as experience of China. There
should be clear classification in the management of cultural heritage such
as the experience of the United Kingdom. At the same time, the State must
pay true attention to planning the conservation of cultural heritage, training
the staff who have good command of culture for this work, regarding
cultural heritage as the national precious asset from the experience of
Japan.
- It is necessary to carry out the socialization policy in the preservation
of monuments in particular and socialization policy in cultural activities in
general. This is a very valuable experience for Vietnam to bear in mind
because only the socialization of traditional cultural factors can preserve
nonphysical cultural heritages in the “living” form in the whirlwind of the
current strong urbanization and globalization process.
- Enhance the community awareness and responsibility for the
preservation of national heritage based on intensive and extensive
communication among walks of life on the value of cultural heritage.
Through community education, promote the preservation of cultural
heritage in the world integration process.
- Associate the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage with
green tourism development and international cooperation. During the
cultural exchange, it is necessary to try the best to propagate national
cultural heritage, “export” national images to all over the world.
Conclusion of chapter 2
In chapter 2, the thesis cites some definitions of culture and limitation
of concept of culture of the thesis to be solved.
In chapter 2, the thesis analyzed the definitions of cultural heritage

- Topography and climate
Located in the middle of Vietnam, TTH has the transitional climate
region between the Northern Vietnam climate (North of Hai Van Pass) and
the Southern Vietnam climate, from coastal plain to high mountain. Climate
and hydrology regime in this province are characterized by big changes and
acts of Gods such as storm and flood. The outstanding characteristics of TTH
climate are the highest rainfall of the whole country, a lot of floods in the
narrow plain and difficult prevention of flooding.
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In terms of rain regime, the rainfall is about 2500mm/year on average.
The rainy season lasts from September to February of the next year.
November has the highest rainfall that occupies up to 30% of the rainfall
of the whole year. Average humidity in the year is 85% - 86%. Rain
characteristic in TTH is uneven. Rainfall increases from the East to the
West, from the North to the South and focuses on some months with big
rain intensity, thus it is easy to cause flood and erosion. It exerts great
influence on the life and remains a big issue for the preservation and
promotion of cultural heritages in TTH.
- Socioeconomic conditions.
In terms of economic growth rate: With a view to keeping high and
sustainable economic growth, in the periods, economic growth rate of TTH
province is relatively high and stable. Average economic growth rate in the
2006 - 2010 period was 12.1% of which service grew by 12.4%, industry -
construction grew by 15.7% and agriculture - forestry - fishery grew by
2.1%; in 2011, this rate was 11.1% of which service grew by 12.7%,
industry - construction grew by 11.6% and agriculture - forestry - fishery
grew by 3.3%; in 2012, this rate was 9.7% of which service grew by
12.8%, industry - construction grew by 8.5% and agriculture - forestry -
fishery grew by 2.2%.
In terms of tourist potential: TTH has diversified tourist potential

province over the past years have worked out many strategies for the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritages, created favorable
conditions to revitalize all cultural potentials, regarded it as the strong
endogenous resource to promote economic growth and social progress.
Many important decisions on guiding this work by the Provincial Party
Committee and the People’s Committee of TTH province were
promulgated and paid attention to the investment in the local budget for
the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, timely guiding,
assigning various local authorities to coordinate for uniform preservation
and promotion of cultural heritage values. At the same time, fortifying the
international cooperation during the preservation and restoration of
monuments.
3.1.3. In terms of the perception Thua Thien Hue people in the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritages
Existing in nearly 160 years (1788 - 1945), as the Royal Capital, Phu
Xuan - TTH is the national quintessence convergence that bears traditional
cultural identity of Vietnam, contains distinctive cultural aspects of Thuan
Hoa - Phu Xuan - TTH. Therefore, in the perception of TTH people,
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cultural heritages have great importance in their spiritual life. They regard
such heritages as the valuable physical asset that should be handed down
and used as material for national historical education for the future
generations. The physical and spiritual contribution to preserve cultural
heritage is the spiritual support as well as their pride on the history of the
ancestors.
Cultural heritage is not only aimed at satisfying spiritual demand of
the people, contributing to affirming the national pride but also a source to
create jobs for the labors, contributing to socioeconomic development.
As such, natural conditions, socioeconomic conditions and the
perception by the cultural subject have two-way effect on the preservation and

In traditional festivals: Generally speaking, although festivals in TTH
are not as abundant as those in the Northern Vietnam, they are rather
diversified with two types of festivals: royal festivals and folklore
festivals.
- In cuisine activity: TTH now keeps cuisine art values with nearly 1,700
unique and attractive royal dishes and popular dishes. With Hue people,
cuisine is a trait of culture, an art with distinctive philosophy formed by
many historical - geographical and social factors.
Such cultural heritages exist up to now and keep showing the
following outstanding values:
- First, in the national cultural heritage treasure, TTh is the only place
to retain a historical royal citadel monument complex of the final
feudalism in Vietnam, reflecting relatively honestly the mechanism of
Nguyen dynasty court from economic basis to superstructure. It is the
abundant physical historical material treasure on a historical phase of the
country. It is the architectural works that record lively stamp of most
historical characters, typical celebrities of Vietnam from the late 18
th
century to the early 20
th
century.
Second, associated closely with Hue royal citadel architecture
generality is Vietnam royal court art heritage, traditional art heritage of the
ancient citadel land, Vietnam art center in the 21
st
century. Value of the
royal court art and folklore art of the ancient citadel is the concentration of
national talent quintessence.
Third, cultural heritage of TTH is the basis and requisite for enhancing
the enjoyment level of the working people, contributing to establishing

mausoleum and Tu Duc are also restored with many items after the
restoration projects are approved.
+ Urgent preservation such as leak prevention, collapse prevention,
termite prevention, erosional plant prevention, consolidation and
replacement of aging parts has been developed on a large scale with
hundreds of works. Therefore, in the severity of continuous acts of God,
the monuments are preserved and have prolonged life expectancy.
+ Infrastructure of monument areas such as road and lighting electrical
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system in the following areas: Dai Noi, Ngo Mon - Ky Dai Square, road
electrical system to Gia Long, Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
mausoleums have been invested and upgraded. The garden yard system of
Hung Mieu, The Mieu, Dien Tho palace, An Dinh palace is restored to
meet the demand for tourism.
The preservation and improvement of urban environmental
landscape and nature associated with the monuments are also realized
effectively. Over the past years, most of the main monuments have been
invested, restored and improved such as garden house system, landscape
and additional plants in the buffer zones. In particular, replanting the
green corridor in King Minh Mang mausoleum, restoring and improving
the landscape of Co Ha garden. At the same time, the upgrade of
infrastructure and roads in Hue City has been considered, especially the
roads in the Royal Citadel, the roads to some monuments. In particular,
the justification and improvement on two banks of Huong river,
dredging of Ngu river and restoration of Ho Thanh Hao dyke have
created favorable conditions for developing people’s livelihood and
justifying the urban area. The evacuation of nearly 300 households in
Ben Me area and Ho Thanh Hao area, over 50 households in the
Southern Upper Citadel, tens households in Dan Xa Tac, Vo Mieu,
nearly 100 households along Ngu river with tens of billion Vietnam

cooperation has helped TTH carry out such projects and programs such as
the national action plan on Vietnamese royal ceremonial music and song
conservation funded by Unesco (with the contribution by Japan Trust
Foundation) in the 2005-2009 period, the project for study and restoration
of some ceremonial music and song instruments (Bien chung Bien khanh,
Bac chung Dac khanh) jointly funded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports
and Tourism of South Korea and the General Department of National
Cultural Heritage of South Korea.
In the population and promotion of cultural heritage value of Hue,
there have been some films and pictorials on Hue and cultural heritage
jointly organized by Hue Monuments Conservation Center or funded by
many organizations such as Unesco, ACCU, which helped international
friends understand more clearly about the values of Hue cultural heritage.
Hue Monuments Conservation Center received the project for producing
film on introducing the restoration of Hue Royal Citadel with digital
technology and 3D film on Ho Quyen monument funded by the General
Department of National Cultural Heritage of South Korea.
At the same time, Hue Monuments Conservation Center completed
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procedures for the artists of Hue Royal Citadel Art Theater to perform
ceremonial music and song in Thailand, Austria, Germany and South
Korea.
3.2.3. Actual condition of preservation of nonphysical cultural
heritage values in Thua Thien Hue at present
Collection, study of nonphysical cultural heritages
Hue Monuments Conservation Center has organized over 10
international and national workshops and conferences on the study and
preservation of nonphysical cultural heritages. Besides, Hue Monuments
Conservation Center organized study, application, collection and
preservation of tens of important royal music works. Successfully

effectively, becoming the attraction for a great deal of officials,
researchers, scientists, athletes and tourists at home and abroad to attend
the conferences, sport championships and go sightseeing. Thanks to
tourist service business efficiency, TTH is also an attractive area for
investors with many cooperation programs to be carried out, including
tourist investment projects worth over 1 billion USD.
3.3. ISSUES ARISING FROM PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF
CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THUA THIEN HUE
3.3.1. Limitations in the preservation and promotion of cultural
heritage in Thua Thien Hue and their reasons
Limitations in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in
Thua Thien Hue
Limitations and inadequacies in the preservation and promotion of
cultural heritage in TTH at present focus on some aspects as follows:
First, apart from appropriate policies, the government and managers
of cultural heritage in Hue have no comprehensive and harmonious policy
for the study, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage value of all
historical periods in TTH.
Second, in the preservation of monuments, Hue lacks a true specialists
on monument conservation, lacks skilled workers to undertake this work.
Third, in the preservation and promotion of nonphysical cultural
heritage, there remains inadequate.
Forth, challenges in the promotion of cultural heritage value in TTH.
Reasons for the limitations in the preservation and promotion of
cultural heritage in Thua Thien Hue
First, in terms of subjective reasons:
- Although the perception by the departments, levels and the whole
society on the role, significance of cultural heritage and responsibility of
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the whole society for cultural heritage has been enhanced, it is not

In chapter 3, the thesis has pointed out characteristics and
achievements of the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values
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in TTH such as achievements in monument restoration and improvement,
protective localization for monument areas, study, collection and
restoration of many nonphysical cultural heritages.
However, during the implementation, this work still shows limitations.
This is indicated in some basic conflicts to be solved as follows: the
conflict between the preservation and promotion of Hue cultural heritage
and the impact of market economy, the conflict between the preservation
and promotion of cultural heritage and the awareness of cultural subject,
the conflict between the preservation of cultural heritage and the social
development.
Chapter 4
BASIC DIRECTION AND SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE
EFFICIENCY OF THE PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF
CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THUA THIEN HUE AT PRESENT
4.1. BASIC DIRECTION, VISION TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY OF THE
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THUA
THIEN HUE AT PRESENT
4.1.1. Basic directions to enhance efficiency and quality of the
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Thua Thien Hue at
present
First, regularly grasp the viewpoints by the Communist Party of
Vietnam on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values in
TTH at present.
Second, ensure the inheritance and renovation in the preservation and
promotion of cultural heritage in TTH in the present integration and
development process.
Third, in the context of market economy, cultural heritage value in

Seventh, boosting international cooperation in the field of
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH.
Conclusion of chapter 4
From the actual condition of chapter 3, in chapter 4, the thesis put
forth a wide range of solutions in order to enhance the quality of
preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH in the coming
time. It can be affirmed that if the preservation and promotion of cultural
heritage in TTH are studied and evaluated seriously, scientifically and
based on proper plan, they will not only meet the demand for
socioeconomic development of the province but also contribute greatly to
the establishment of an advanced and traditional Vietnamese culture.
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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
1. Cultural heritage is important part of the culture of each country.
Cultural values lingering on the cultural heritages are the proof of the
survival of beauty, of the past with the present and the future.
2. TTH is the first place in Vietnam to have monument area
recognized as the world cultural heritage. Cultural heritages in TTH have
very important role in serving as the national cultural quintessence
convergence, the meeting and exchange place of humankind civilization
flows. The preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values in TTH
in the renovation period are an objective and urgent requirement at present.
3. The preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH are
the responsibility of all sectors, all levels in which the Communist Party of
Vietnam and the State of Vietnam play the role of leading, outlining
direction and the agencies participate in following up but the final core is
TTH people.
4. The preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in TTH over
the past time have achieved many encouraging results. However, due to