(VOVworld)- French and Vietnamese experts met recently in Can Tho to discuss how to better preserve the cultural heritage of Vietnam, particularly in the central province of Thua Thien– Hue. Nguyen Dung, Vice Chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said at a symposium that preservation and restoration of cultural heritage plays a critical role in improving tourism to the central province of Thua Thien–Hue.

Ngo Mon (Noon) Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial City, at night (Photo: Huefestival.com)

Established as the capital of a unified Vietnam in 1802, Hue was the political, cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945. Many of its palaces and pagodas remain, although some were bombed in the American War.  The symposium, part of the 10th Vietnam–France cooperation conference held last week, was attended by hundreds of experts from Nimes, France and Vietnam and focused on preservation of the Hue monuments. France and Vietnam are also developing ecotourism and heritage preservation projects in the province’s Bach Ma National Park.