VietNamNet Bridge – During the period 1992-2012, individuals and organisations from across the world donated over 7 million USD to help preserve and restore historical sites in the ancient imperial city of Hue.

A view of Hue city's Trang Tien Bridge.
According to Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Relics Preservation Centre, in 1992, Japan’s Fund-in-Trust channelled 100,000 USD through UNESCO to help Hue restore the Ngo Mon or Noon Gate.

The Japanese Government has also funded projects to preserve and restore the Huu Tung Tu or King Minh Mang’s tomb and Nha Nhac Hue, the unique sound of Hue’s Royal Court Music.

Since 1993, the Toyota Foundation in Japan has financed over 10 research projects supporting the Hue Relics Preservation Centre, worth 100,000 USD.

The Japan Foundation, Waseda University, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre have also played a substantial role in these efforts.

During the reviewed period, overseas specialists from countries including Poland and Germany have been dispatched to the imperial capital city. Neighbouring Laos also sent 400 cubic metres of the original kind of hardwood to use in the preservation work.

Other supportive organisations include the Fulbright Program and the Ford Foundation from the US, the French Group Rhone Polenc and the Korea Foundation.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus