A number of foreign organisations have pledged their support to restore and promote the historical imperial citadel of Hue in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, providing funds of nearly 8 million USD so far.
Since the citadel was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1993, numerous internationally-funded projects have been implemented, bringing the site out of its state of disrepair, according to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.
Most recently, UNESCO provided close to 30,000 USD for a capacity development programme on heritage management in Hue for the 2014-2015 period.
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation sponsored two projects to restore altars of worship and parts of the citadel with a total cost of 729,084 USD.
At the same time, the centre also received support from a number of foreign businesses, including the French company Rhone Polenc with a donation of 1 million USD and the provision of technical advice on termite extermination on the site.
Governments from a number of countries, including France, the UK, Laos and Japan, provided funds and technical support for Hue Monuments Conservation Centre. Experts visited the citadel and gave advice on the restoration and preservation of the heritage site.
According to Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Phan Thanh Hai the centre finished the restoration of 132 exhibits in the citadel, thus improving the whole experience for visitors.
Since the beginning of 2014, the citadel of Hue has welcomed more than 1.5 million domestic and foreign tourists, generating 107.83 billion VND (5.06 million USD), a 10.5 percent rise compared to the same period last year, he noted.