Hue Guesthouse
If you build it, they will come

Ask any college student or professor what the one other thing they have to worry about besides planning their coursework for the year and you’ll likely get the same answer: housing. The answer is no different in Vietnam. Highly regarded as the leading research institution in the central region of Vietnam, Hue University schools over 30,000 students each year. In addition to diverse and unique course offerings, Hue University stands at the forefront of English language education in Vietnam. Looking to enhance the language program, university officials proposed to expand the department by bringing in top educators in the field. In order to do so, the school would need to provide the basic necessity to attract guest lecturers- comfortable living quarters.

The original inklings of the Hue University Guesthouse began with conversations with Da Nang University in 2001. Both universities realized that there was a real need to house not only visiting teachers, but also dignitaries traveling from all over Vietnam to visit their campuses.

With these parameters in place, East Meets West was engaged by Atlantic Philanthropies to oversee and construct Hue University’s Guesthouse with a proposed budget of $200,000. After going through numerous iterations of the design plan and location sites, a building plan was agreed upon. Construction began once a suitable site was chosen and donated by the People’s Committee and made available by Hue University.

The Hue University Guesthouse was fully completed in November 2004. The project fell within budget but construction delays and design specifications maxed out any leftover funds for the furnishings. Hue University has pledged to seek additional outside funding to fully furnish the building.

University officials are pleased with the new addition and are eager to engage educators in the English language program. The Hue University Guesthouse will serve as a model for another Guesthouse to be built at Da Nang University.