The “Huu Vu Hall” in the Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam: Theater of History and Consuming Emperor’s Power in the context of Heritage Tourism

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the interactions between contemporary people and their memories of emperors, focusing on the Hue Imperial City, a significant historical site that served as the Nguyen Dynasty center of power for over 143 years. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 and has since been restored and developed into a renowned historical consumption tourism destination in Vietnam.

The Huu Vu Hall was historically a significant location where high-ranking military officers changed their attire before audiences with the emperor. Currently, it has been re-produced as a replica of the emperor's throne room, serving as a theater for transforming “commoners” into emperors and royalty in memory through physical performances, costumes mimicking imperial and royal attire, and gestures and postures resembling those of emperors and royalty. This is directed by imperial costume designers and a team of photographers and has garnered significant attention from both Vietnamese and international audiences. Hue Imperial City thus becomes a historical space encompassing academic issues of restoration, reinterpretation, and reuse of the history of the Hue emperors as a Theater of Historical Consumption in the Context of World Cultural Heritage Tourism..