This study explores how Vietnam reconstructs national identity through cultural governance within a post-colonial framework. As the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue embodies complex identities as an imperial seat, a colonial site, and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Current governance, however, tends to prioritize imperial heritage for national symbolism, often marginalizing local community practices and folk assets. Adopting a case study approach, this research utilizes historical analysis, qualitative content analysis, and textual interpretation to examine the evolution of governance across four historical periods. By analyzing official documents and UNESCO reports alongside in-depth interviews, the study critiques the distribution of discourse power among stakeholders. Findings reveal a clear "heritage hierarchy" in Hue: the state prioritizes the restoration of imperial rituals (e.g., Nam Giao Sacrifice) to bolster national imagery and global tourism. Conversely, folk beliefs (e.g., Bà Tơ Festival) and colonial architecture face "administrativization" or inconsistent preservation. The study concludes that heritage governance must transcend the "imperial vs. local" binary. It recommends a resilient governance model that integrates local knowledge and community participation, bridging the gap between "national memory" and "daily life" to ensure the sustainable development of cultural heritage.

Authors:
Sheng Chao Ko, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Ko Sheng Chao,currently serving at the Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture,Taiwan.Research interests and areas of expertise include comparative studies of cultural heritage governance and maintenance management paradigms.

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