Two unique symbols of the Nguyen Dynasty
Located in the West of Hue Citadel, at the intersection between Mr. Ich Khiem and Ton That Thiep, two historical works of Hoa Lo and Monument were a unique symbol of the Nguyen Dynasty, proving the military and scientific development at that time. Fire treasurer, with nearly 80cm thick tiles, used to be a place to store ammunition for the system of guns to defend the city.
The Nguyen Dynasty built 24 fortresses around the Upper Citadel, each of which had a blind fire doctor to ensure combat capability. This project not only demonstrates military level but also reflects the systematic defense strategy of the dynasty.
In the 2019-2021 population relocation project, the blind fireworks at the Forts of Tay Thanh Dai and Nam Xuong were revealed, with their intact beauty, surprising many people with the sophistication and durability of the Nguyen Dynasty's architecture.
The monument is a testament to the intersection between Western science and Vietnamese traditional thinking. Building in 1827 under the reign of King Minh Mang, this project was a astronomical observatory, where the Kham Thien Giam mandarins used telescopes, compasses and sun clocks to forecast weather and determine geographical coordinates. In feudal history, only two astronomical stations were built: Kham Thien Giam in Thang Long (now died) and Monument in Hue, was restored intact in 2013. By the end of 2020, automatic rain measurement station was installed here, connected to Hue-S application, combining historical heritage and modern technology. In 1837, King Minh Mang directed the application of the Western method to determine the accurate coordinates of the Hue capital (16 ° 22'30 "North latitude; 105 ° Kinh Dong), reflecting the vision of overtaking of the Nguyen Dynasty.
To prevent heritage from being wasted
Despite their great historical and cultural value, the Hoa Hoa Hoa Hoa and Quan Monument are currently in a state of disrepair. Both buildings were flooded with weeds, the inside was filled with rotten furniture and spiritual waste. The sound of the blind fire was broken, the city walls were degraded, while the Monument's gate was locked, causing visitors who wanted to visit to hesitate.
This is a waste of heritage, not only abandoning architectural and historical values, but also losing the potential for tourism and education. The blind fireworks and Monuments, with their prime location and unique stories, can be a supplementary destination to the journey to explore the Ancient Capital, bringing a new experience to visitors and helping them understand more about the military defense system and scientific and astronomical science of the Nguyen Dynasty.
To exploit the blind Forest and Monument Monument in a reasonable and methodical manner, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center needs to have an early solution. First of all, it is necessary to clean up the waste, reinforce the tiles and walls of the blind Fireworks, and open the Monument Quan so that visitors can visit.
In addition, the Center needs to promote to attract tourists. A methodical communication campaign, combined with in-depth tours about Hue Citadel, can include these two works on the official tour map. Stories about the city's defense, about King Minh Mang and about Vietnam's only remaining ancient astronomical dai should be vividly told through signs, explanators, or the application of virtual reality technology (VR), helping visitors visualize more clearly the unique past of these two works.
Dr. Phan Thanh Hai - Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, former Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center - once emphasized the meaning of the monument, the only ancient meteorological agency was restored and the installation of rain gauge here is a traditional continuation. This continuation needs to be maintained more effectively by cooperation with schools to organize educational activities, help arouse conservation of heritage in the younger generation and turn two buildings into a bridge between history and current.
