The front page of Hue Today Weekly, issue No. 67 

On the occasion of his visit to Hue to attend the seminar “The Journey of Vietnamese Lacquer Art from Heritage to Future, 1930-2030”, speaker Cao Xuan Hai shared compelling insights into Vietnam’s potential to emerge as a global hub for lacquer art innovation.

He noted: “From my perspective, Vietnamese lacquer holds a uniquely rare foundation, it embodies both a long-standing cultural legacy and a material with strong potential to evolve into a contemporary creative industry. Economically speaking, lacquer should not be viewed solely as “heritage”, it is already part of a global materials and design sector experiencing steady growth. Vietnam’s key competitive strengths lie in 5 aspects, including unique natural materials, traditional techniques, a distinct artistic language, cost competitiveness, and the capacity to expand into diverse industries”.

Despite such significant potential, Mr. Cao Xuan Hai observed a clear paradox in reality: Vietnam remains a “sleeping giant”, lacking robust market data, a strong national brand name, and a fully developed value chain, which is needed to secure a position commensurate with its potential on the global stage.

Another notable piece featured in this edition of Hue Today Weekly is “Returning Names to the Fallen Left Behind” an article by authors Thai Binh and Le Sau. This is introduced as a work of particular emotional depth for readers.

Over 16,000 martyrs’ graves across cemeteries citywide remain largely unidentified. The process of field surveys, biological sample collection, and DNA testing is not only a political mandate but also a profound effort to restore names to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation so that their families no longer have to wait in vain. This stands as the article’s solemn and deeply moving message.

Each confirmed DNA match returns a name to a fallen soldier’s grave. It will heal a family’s long-standing pain and uphold the nation’s enduring tradition of gratitude and remembrance. Beyond meeting the deep aspirations of martyrs’ relatives, this work also serves as a powerful testament to the collective respect and appreciation of society for those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence and freedom.

 “Racing against time to “bridge the shores of joy” as scheduled is a story told through a series of photographic moments captured by photographer Tuan Kiet

Submitting the photo series to the newsroom, photographer Tuan Kiet shared: “Under Hue’s scorching sun, the construction team was trying hard to sprint toward completion on schedule. Even though their lunch breaks were in a hurry, they took advantage of every minute to keep up with the process. Being there to document the work, I got the chance to witness the contractor’s strong sense of responsibility and unwavering determination. Residents were filled with anticipation. One man, who had just lost his father, spoke with quiet grief: My father had long looked forward to the day the bridge would be completed, but never got to see it”.

“Racing against time to “bridge the shores of joy” as scheduled is to publish on Hue Today Weekly, issue No. 67

Alongside these highlights, this weekend’s edition of Hue Today Weekly also brings readers a range of other engaging features, including: “Going Digital and Green to Boost Productivity and Add Value” (Hoai Thuong); “Lullabies Along the Truong Son Range” (Bach Chau); “Phan Thu and Her Journey with Hue Classical Theatre” (Phuoc Ly); “In the Quiet of Forested Hills” (Mai Dinh), “Opportunities for a Heritage City to Rise” (Phan Thanh Hai); “The Story of Ngo Dong [Firmiana simplex] Trees in Hue” (Bui Ngoc Long); “An April Gift” (Bach Ngoc); and “Nguyen Ha Khanh Linh - An 18-year-old Chess Master” (Phi Tan)…

We cordially invite readers to pick up Hue Today Weekly, Issue No. 67, or visit https://huengaynay.vn/xem-bao starting from April 12.

By Hue Today Weekly