Thai Hoa Palace becomes Vietnam’s first UNESCO cultural heritage site to meet green building standards. (Photo: Hue Monuments)

A special event entitled “Hue - Pioneer in Green Heritage Tourism and Bicycle City Development” took place at the Ngo Mon Square, Hue Imperial Citadel (Dai Noi). The event was co-organised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, the Vietnam Green Building Council, and VietPM - the representative of the GCOO brand in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Green Building Council presents the LOTUS green certification to Thai Hoa Palace.

Also at the event, Thai Hoa Palace - a symbol of the Nguyen Dynasty and part of the Complex of Hue Monuments - officially received the LOTUS green building certification from the Vietnam Green Building Council. This marked the first time a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site in Vietnam has met green building standards, charting a new course for sustainable heritage restoration and preservation.

Over three years, from November 2021 to November 2024, the restoration of Thai Hoa Palace followed strict protocols, blending traditional materials with modern conservation techniques. The project focuses on energy efficiency, low emissions, and environmental friendliness - all while maintaining the historical authenticity of the monument and meeting sustainability criteria.

Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Chi Tai talks with Jongsoo Yoon, CEO of Gbike (the Republic of Korea).

Douglas Lee Snyders, Executive Director of the Vietnam Green Building Council, emphasises that LOTUS is more than just a certification, it’s a statement that heritage is not just the past, but the future, if preserved and developed correctly.He also commended Hue’s commitment to integrating green development thinking into heritage conservation.

In addition to the recognition of Thai Hoa Palace, the Council also honoured GCOO - a brand of the Republic of Korea’s Gbike Group– as the first “LOTUS Green Service Provider” of heritage tourism in Vietnam. GCOO has pioneered electric vehicles for eco-friendly visitor transport within the Hue heritage zone, further reinforcing the city’s vision of sustainable tourism and green development.

GCOO donates 20 new-generation e-bikes to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.

Also at the event, GCOO donated 20 new-generation e-bikes to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre. These e-bikes will be deployed within the Hue Imperial Citadel, offering visitors a quiet, eco-friendly, and flexible means of transportation. The initiative aims to enhance the visitor experience while reducing air and noise pollution in the heritage zone.

Delegates participate in cycling activities immediately after the event.

Following the donation ceremony, delegates enthusiastically took part in a community cycling campaign titled “Hue - Pioneer in Green Heritage Tourism and Bicycle City”. The event featured a symbolic e-bike parade through the Hue Imperial Citadel and iconic streets of Hue, spreading a powerful message of green transition, sustainable tourism, and civic responsibility.

With over 100 participants, including city leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and community members, the initiative showcased Hue’s ambition to become Vietnam’s national green city by 2030.

The message of “Hue - Pioneer in developing green heritage tourism and Bicycle City” was conveyed through the parade by GCOO electric bicycles passing through the Hue Imperial City. (Photo: X.DAT)

Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, Hoang Viet Trung, shared: "Hue’s approach to 'Green Heritage Tourism and Bicycle City' integrates conservation, tourism, and environmental education into a deeply meaningful model. It sets a prime example of sustainable heritage development.”