Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Saturday (Mar. 4) visited the palace of the former Vietnamese king in the ancient capital of Hue.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on March 4. 

At the Hue Imperial Citadel, an official from the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre introduced them to the special culture of Hue – the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty, which was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1993. 

Many of the palaces and tombs of Nguyen Kings in Hue have been restored with assistance from the Japanese Government and experts from the Waseda and Tokyo Universities, he said. 

The Emperor and Empress enjoyed Hue royal court music, which was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003. It was also staged in Japan in the eighth century. 

The same day, the Japanese Emperor and Empress called at a memorial house dedicated to patriot Phan Boi Chau, an initiator of Dong Du movement in early 20th century that encouraged young Vietnamese to go east to study and seek ways to save the nation. 

Currently, a memorial stele dedicated to Japanese doctor Asaba Sakitaro, who made great contributions to Dong Du movement, is being kept at Fukuroi city, Shizuoka prefecture as a symbol of Vietnam-Japan friendship in the 20th century. 

During their stay, the royal couple met Japanese nationals in Vietnam and volunteers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Hue.

The imperial couple are on their fourth day of a state visit to Vietnam, the first ever by the Chrysanthemum Throne. They arrive in Hue on Friday (Mar. 3) after concluding official engagements with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi. The building is modelled after the royal palace of China and is designated a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Local women welcome them donning Ao Dai, traditional national dress, at the palace of the former Nguyen Dynasty.  The Nguyen Dynasty lasts for roughly 140 years beginning in the early 19th century.  A Japanese expert informs the couple of repairs performed on the building by Japanese engineers working with Vietnamese workers. During their visit to the palace the Emperor and Empress watch a performance of ancient Nha Nhac court music and dance. The Emperor and Empress are scheduled to depart from the imperial city of Hue on March 5 and travel to Thailand. In Bangkok, they will express condolences for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed last year.

VOV