THỪA THIÊN — HUẾ — Authorities in the central province are continuing with a plan to renovate 16 historic relic sites at a total cost of VNĐ100 billion (US$4.3 million) this year.

Visitors at Huế royal citadel complex. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Việt

Nearly a quarter of the budget has been spent on relic sites like Thọ Ninh Palace, Kiến Trung Palace, Ngọ Môn Gate and the Huế Ancient Citadel; as well as mausoleums of kings Đồng Khánh, Dục Đức, Thiệu Trị, Gia Long and Minh Mạng.

According to Võ Lê Nhật, director of Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, the renovation work has followed the State law of Culture Heritage and international conventions on preserving and renovating relic sites.

“So far more than 170 works [buildings] in Huế ancient citadel have been renovated,” Nhật said. “The renovation carried out by local agencies has helped liven up spaces in the former citadel and mausoleums.”

Nhật said the centre has learned special techniques to make paint to restore walls and murals as well as skills to treat termites in wooden structures from German and Polish experts.

Nhật said a group of experts from Germany has helped restore murals at An Định Palace.

They researched layers of paint on the murals and created powder and solvent to renovate the paintings.

They also trained 25 Vietnamese workers on skills to renovate old walls and murals.

A group of experts from Poland has helped the centre treat termites at Thế Tổ Miếu (Ancestors Temple) and other wooden structures in the citadel.

Nhật said the centre has also completed other research on floor tiles at relic sites; ancient wells in the citadel; history of constructing buildings under the Nguyễn Dynasty and collecting royal promotion decrees of Nguyễn Dynasty.

The centre has also issued various new tours to newly-renovated relics like a tour named “Huế - A Destination, Five Heritages”, re-organised many royal games; organised calligraphy performances at Thái Hòa Palace; hosted royal music at Thế Miếu; traditional martial arts at Thái Hòa Palace; and lion dances at Cần Chánh Palace to lure tourists.

Local authorities have organised various night-time activities for tourists like regular light shows at the Citadel Flag Pole; cannon firing at the flag pole; opened the inner citadel at night for tourists, where they can enjoy royal music shows at ancient Duyệt Thị Đường royal theatre as well as light system from Ngọ Môn Gate to Thái Hòa Palace.

The authorities are upgrading two websites in Vietnamese and English linking with the website of the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism, other localities’ sites and cities abroad that Huế has close relationships with like cities of Newhaven, Honolulu (US); Rennes, Blois, Nord Pas de Calais (France) and Shizuoka (Japan).

This year, the province aims to receive 4.5-4.7 million visitors, a 8-10 per cent against last year, of which international visitors account for 40-45 per cent.

The province hopes to get total revenue of VNĐ4.7 billion (US$203 million), a 10 per cent increase against last year. — VNS