The UNESCO-recognized Complex of Hue Monuments in Hue City on Tuesday welcomed its 30 millionth visitor and the 12 millionth international tourist, as counted from 1993.

The management of the monument complex, located in Thua Thien-Hue Province, have also launched the first exhibit on Vietnam’s last queen in a newly-opened edifice. Dang Dinh Nguyen, who resides in the southern province of Dong Nai, and Tersh Chenko Juliia, a Russian tourist, received gifts from the local tourism authorities at a ceremony as the 30 millionth visitor and 12 millionth international tourist to the complex.

Nguyen and Juliia were each presented with a prize package of tourist services in Hue City – Vietnam’s former capital – which are worth VND30 million (US$1,412) and VND12 million, respectively.

The Complex of Hue Monuments has received over 2.2 million visits, earning the local tourism sector over VND139 billion ($6.54 million) in ticket revenues in the year to date.

Hue City has also raked in nearly VND20 billion ($941,354) from the services offered within the complex.

The city inaugurated Khai Tuong Edifice, part of the An Dinh Secluded Palace on Monday with an exhibit dedicated to King Bao Dai (1913-1997) and his wife – Queen Nam Phuong (1914-1963).

The An Dinh Secluded Palace nestles at 97 Phan Dinh Phung Street.

The couple are the last king and queen of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) – the last monarchial reign in Vietnam.

The exhibition features almost 100 artifacts which conjure up the royal family’s living space and lifestyle between 1945 and 1955.

Also on view are more than 40 photos of and 30 archival materials on the couple, which were painstakingly culled by veteran researcher Nguyen Dac Xuan.

According to Buu Y who is a noted culture researcher, it is the first time that an activity in commemoration of Queen Nam Phuong has been organized in the country.

It is also the first time tourists have visited the Khai Tuong Edifice, he added.

The edifice will see the final touches of restoration work and open to tourists for free from January 20 to March 30 next year.

Admission to the royal mansion will be charged from March 31 onward.

The Complex of Hue Monuments is located in and around Hue City in the geographical center of Vietnam and with easy access to the sea, UNESCO says on its website.

Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802, Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious center under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, the UN agency adds.

The complex was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in December 1993.

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