Andrea Teufel, the Chief Representative of the German Association for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and Kazuyo Watanabe, the CEO of the Asian Children’s Care League, have been granted honorary citizenship by Thua Thien – Hue province, as reported by VNA.
Teufel has made significant contributions to the preservation and restoration of local heritage sites. Meanwhile, Watanabe, a Japanese woman, is being recognized for her valuable support to children with cancer in the province.
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| Andrea Teufel (second from right) and Kazuyo Watanabe (third from right) receive the honorary citizenship title of Thua Thien – Hue province. Photo:baothuathienhue.vn |
During the ceremony, Nguyen Van Phuong, the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, stated that foreign individuals who actively participate in building the local community not only bring positive improvements but also foster solidarity, cooperation, and mutual understanding between countries.
To commemorate International Women’s Day, Phuong extended his best wishes to the two honorary citizens and expressed hope that they would continue to contribute to the development and sustainability of Thua Thien-Hue.
The two foreigners expressed their pride in receiving the honorary title and expressed gratitude to local leaders, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, and Hue Central Hospital for their support during their work in the province.
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| Kazuyo Watanabe (centre) with cancer patients at Hue Cental Hospirtal. Photos courtesy of Kazuyo Watanabe |
Kazuyo Watanabe expressed her happiness and pride upon being honored as an honorary citizen of Thua Thien Hue province by the People’s Committee.
“About 20 years ago, when I first came to Hue Central Hospital, the Oncology Unit of the Pediatrics Department was very small, with only 10 inpatients a day. Only a few children with cancer were receiving treatments. And now, after 20 years, the Pediatric Oncology Department has grown, with 100 inpatients a day. Many children with cancer have been cured and returned to the community. Children are our future, and their smiles and health are the most valuable sources of encouragement,” Watanabe recalled.
Watanabe hopes to continue supporting Hue Central Hospital in various programs and projects that contribute to the betterment of the land she holds dear and considers her second home.
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| Teufel, nicknamed Bobo, had a deep and special love for Hue. She adored everything about Hue: the landscape, the people, the cuisine… and especially the ao dai. |
Andrea Teufel has a great love for Hue’s heritage and has been involved in training the next generation in heritage restoration in Hue. Her goal is to build human resources for long-term heritage conservation in Vietnam.
“Hue is a wonderful city and an exemplary intersection of cultural heritage conservation and sustainable development. This endeavor requires knowledge, clear strategies, capacity, and unwavering determination to be implemented. And Hue possesses all the aforementioned factors,” shared Teufel.
Both Teufel and Watanabe expressed their commitment to continue their contributions to the preservation and restoration of local heritage, as well as the improvement of survival rates among children with cancer in the future.
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