“Incubating Culture in Vietnam and Hue’s Rebirth as Vietnam’s Center of Art and Heritage” Hosted by Harvard Kennedy School, Fulbright University Vietnam and Boi Tran Garden


Thomas J Vallely
Senior Advisor, Mainland Southeast Asia, Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center; Founder, Harvard Vietnam Program (1989), Fulbright School HCMC (1994)

I remember very fondly our meeting at your home. Mostly I shared a great respect for your pioneer-ship for making Hue’s artistic rebirth a reality.


Panel Discussion & Hue Cultural Fine Dining
Incubating Culture in Vietnam and Hue’s Rebirth as Vietnam’s Center of Art and Heritage

Avenue: Boi Tran Garden, Thien An Hill, Hue, Vietnam
Date: 18 January 2020
Organizer: Harvard Kennedy School, Fulbright University Vietnam, Boi Tran Garden

An early evening panel discussion on Incubating Culture in Vietnam and Hue’s Rebirth as Vietnam’s Center of Art and Heritage as well as announcing new cooperation with Fulbright University Vietnam and the Hue Provincial Government. As part of Fulbright University’s curriculum, Professor Thomas J. Vallely – Senior Advisor for Mainland Southeast Asia at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, established the Fulbright School in Ho Chi Minh City in 1994, the school is now part of Fulbright University Vietnam, current Chairman of Governing Board of Fulbright University Vietnam and director of the Harvard Myanmar Program and the delegation are hoping to offer a semester in Hue for those students who are majoring in Vietnamese Studies and Art.

Professor Thomas J. Vallely sharing at the beginning of the discussion
Professor Karen Dynan, Professor Douglas Elmendorf, Professor Thomas Vallely and Artist Boi Tran (left to right)
Professor Thomas Vallely, Professor Anthony Saich, and Professor Douglas Elmendorf (left to right)

Following the discussion, guests are invited to dinner with our special scholar – Professor Douglas Elmendorf, Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School. The Kennedy School is one of Fulbright University’s academic partners and they are exploring deepening its connection to Hue’s public policy challenges.

Cultural sharing at the hall, Thuc Doan / Bem, Professor Thomas Vallely, Artist Boi Tran, and Professor Ian Bickford (left to right)
Thuc Doan / Bem, Artist Boi Tran, and Professor Ian Bickford (left to right)

Being aware of the opportunity we have with Hue’s recent designation as a Heritage City. This designation alone does not ensure success unless it is combined with the vibrant cultural communities in Vietnam and in Hue that are transcending old models of cultural preservation and enhancement. This new partnership with the Central Government will accelerate Hue into the cultural and historical frontier.

Professor Thomas Vallely, Thuc Doan / Bem, Professor Douglas Elmendorf, Professor Karen Dynan, Vietnamese Writer Nguyen Ngoc, Professor Vu Thanh Tu Anh, Professor Anthony Saich and Artist Boi Tran (left to right)
Professor Thomas Vallely and Artist Boi Tran
Thuc Doan / Bem, Artist Boi Tran, Mr Ho Dang Hoa (Associate Producer, The Vietnam War), Prof Thomas J Vallely and Mr Pham Xuan Hoang An (Harvard Vietnam Program Consultant) (left to right)

Pham Xuan Hoang An
Harvard Vietnam Program Consultant

It was a great pleasure to meet you, Ms Boi Tran, and your daughter Thuc Doan at your magnificent estate. The food was great, and the conservation was inspiring.
Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality and generous, delicious lunch.


Artist Boi Tran and Professor Hai Nguyen
Thuc Doan / Bem and Professor Tran Xuan Thao – Former Director of the Fulbright Program in Vietnam (1999 – 2010)

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