Visitors to the Imperial Citadel of Hue. Photo: Hoang Hai
More understanding about history
Beebee Travel has held a series of tours called “Through the historical imprints” these days. Visitors in this tour will walk and stop by the places tied with historical milestones of Hue.
The final stop is the Imperial Citadel of Hue, where there are many historical imprints, especially the termination of the Vietnamese Feudalism. The intention of the tour organizer is that visitors, by walking, will have more time to contemplate and understand more about history.
Le Duc Anh from Thanh Hoa, a tour taker, said, “although I have studied the national history, I can fully understand all its values only when I come to the place to see, hear and feel by myself. I have read about the event of seal and sword handover at Ngo Mon (the Meridian Gate), but when I stand on the right place where the event occurred 74 years ago, I feel like it is just happening”.
After visiting the Imperial Citadel, Duc Anh and friends decided to visit the Museum of Thua Thien Hue History (on the street August 23), as the tour guide recommended, to see more objects and images related to the event of seal and sword handover, as well as hear more stories about the revolutionary stages in Hue.
“I love the history of the country more and appreciate the sacrifice that older generations for our younger generations,” Duc Anh said with emotion.
A group of visitors to Hue from the far north province of Ha Giang wanted to know more about the event of seal and sword handover. The tour guide that day was Thu Tram, who informed: “we are standing at the Meridian Gate, where important ceremonies of the Nguyen Dynasty were held such as Truyen Lo (the doctorate entitlement), Ban Soc (calendar delivery), and annual parade.
There was a meeting and public march at the Meridian Gate on August 23, 1945 to witness the abdication of King Bao Dai – the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, who handed over the seal and sword to the representatives of the Provisional Revolutionary Government, terminating the millennially existing monarchy in Vietnam.
From 1975 until now, the Meridian Gate Square has been used for important political, cultural and social activities and events of the country and the province such as New Year Eve Welcome ceremonies, Opening and Closing ceremonies of Hue Festivals.”
Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung, Head of Tour-guiding office at the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said that the event of seal and sword handover has been an important part in the contents to present to tourists. It has been recorded in the audio guide (a kind of automatic presentation) of the center. The number of presentations of this content to the visitor groups depends on their demands. In the period of late August and early September, the presentations about this event increase, particularly among groups of veterans and students who want to learn more about the history.
Adding more to Hue attractions
According to the Travel Association, the history of Hue and its important stages are the interests of both domestic and international visitors. It is its history and culture that create the tourist attractions for Hue, maintaining the source of visitors from Europe and North America.
The Head of Travel Management Office, the Department of Tourism, Tran Dinh Minh Duc, said that visitors to Hue this time of the year can join in the tour “Following the footsteps of Uncle Ho” in addition to the tour related to the seal and sword handover.
President Ho Chi Minh spent his childhood in Hue and became the most influential figure on the August Revolution. In this tour, travel companies take visitors to Quoc Hoc School, Uncle Ho’s House at 112 Mai Thuc Loan street and his house in Duong No village. Visitors go there by bike or by cyclo (a three-wheeled vehicle), which makes the tour distinctive.
The Joint stock Tourist Company DMZ has organized a photo contest about Hue experiences to explore potential tourist sites in Hue and historic sites associated with the revolutionary history on the occasion of the August Revolution Anniversary and the Independence Day, September 2.
According to Huynh Tieu Phuong, who is responsible for public relation of the company, the contest is for everyone, including Vietnamese and foreigners living, working or visiting Hue. The aim is to raise the youngsters’ awareness of and pride in the national history. Apart from some photos of scenery, most of the photo entries of the contest are about historical relics, the revolutionary relics and Uncle Ho.
Many international film producers, bloggers and reporters have recently come to explore Hue history and culture, and they have products that help to advertise Hue in some ways.
According to Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Center for Tourism Information and Promotion, blogger Eric Thomas Stoen said in his recent experiential trip that Hue has advantages in history and culture, and stories about Hue will take visitors on a long exploratory journey if there is a good tapping strategy and guide.
Story and photo: Duc Quang