Hue Today Weekly Issue No. 89, released on September 10th, features a wide range of in-depth articles

A highlight of this week’s In Conversation section is an interview by a Hue Today Weekly reporter with Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hue City Party Committee and Head of Hue City Economic and Industrial Zones Management Board, on the drivers, untapped potential and solutions needed to accelerate the development of the city’s industrial sector. During the interview, Mr. Phan Quy Phuong provides a clear picture of the potential and advantages of the Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone, the current state of investment attraction, and strategic measures to remove infrastructure bottlenecks and turn industry into a key pillar of the city’s growth.

On the Economy & Development page, Yen Chi’s article, ‘Measuring the value of heritage to unlock the potential of the heritage economy’, calls for a new way of looking at the economic value of heritage. Rather than measuring it solely through admission revenue, heritage should be regarded as a form of ‘cultural capital’ whose benefits extend across a wide range of sectors, including tourism, services, infrastructure and real estate. As a centrally governed heritage city, Hue is expected to take the lead in developing a data-driven Heritage Economy Index to better manage and maximize this important endogenous resource.

The Culture & Arts page features two thought-provoking articles. In ‘Bringing antiquities home: Looking beyond the state budget’, Lien Minh examines efforts to repatriate Nguyen Dynasty antiquities, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing resources from across society, encouraging donations and pursuing direct negotiations rather than relying solely on state funding to acquire artifacts at auction. Meanwhile, Phuoc An’s ‘Years of rigorous training to preserve the soul of Hue dance’ explores the dedication and sacrifices of dancers. According to the author, preserving the refined bearing and exacting standards of royal court dance requires not only technical skill, but also perseverance, passion for the profession and a commitment to retaining the distinctive character of Hue.

 The Report - Notes page in this issue

Meanwhile, Page 8 features Duc Quang’s reportage ‘When the two shores of Thai Duong are no longer divided,’ documenting the changes in the coastal village of Thai Duong following the opening of the bridge across the Thuan An estuary. The 2.3-kilometer bridge has not only ended the community’s dependence on ferry crossings and shortened travel distances, but also opened up new opportunities for local development, from trade and aquaculture to the expansion of services and community-based tourism rooted in the cultural identity of the fishing village.

The issue concludes with a photo essay titled ‘Harvesting alongside local residents for a bumper crop,’ captured through the lens of Nguyen Khoa Huy, a contributor. Through vivid and authentic images, the photographer documents local police officers working alongside highland residents to harvest their rice. The sight of officers in their green uniforms amid golden rice fields not only creates a memorable image of the harvest season, but also reflects the close bond between the police and local communities.

We are pleased to present this edition to our readers!

By Hue Today Weekly