Yoga in Hue land

A yoga section of Yoga Linh Kha Club (No.1 Le Loi St.)

Yoga, which originated in India, made its way to the imperial capital of Hue about 15 years ago, when Ms. Ngo Bich Uyen who was certified by India’s Tatra Yoga organization after completing a national-level instructor training course, founded the Au Co Yoga Club. This was also the first yoga club in Hue City, marking a turning point in the movement to practice this discipline.

Naturally, the journey to bring yoga closer to the public was not easy, especially given that yoga requires perseverance and inner calm – the qualities that can be hard to cultivate amid the fast pace of modern life. However, with passion and determination, pioneers like Ms. Uyen and her students have steadily spread the values of yoga through each training session and community performance, nurturing the gradual growth of the movement in the former imperial capital.

Following the establishment of Au Co Yoga Club, at present, Hue is home to dozens of yoga clubs and practice groups, equipped with well-structured training programs, modern facilities, and professionally trained instructors across the city. Today, in addition to indoor sessions and home practices, images of people practicing yoga in the parks, by the beach, or along the banks of the Perfume River have become a familiar part of daily life in Hue.

“Most yoga clubs in Hue incorporate nature into their practice by organizing many outdoor training sessions and performances. This trend of practicing in open spaces not only helps connect the community but also serves as a form of mental therapy, bringing relaxation and positive inner transformation,” shared Ms. Mai Trang from Suc Song Moi Yoga Club.

Practicing in open spaces is the current trend in yoga

By enhancing flexibility, regulating blood pressure, reducing stress, improving cardiovascular health, relieving musculoskeletal pain, and promoting a more toned physique, the physical and mental benefits of yoga have attracted not only women but an increasing number of men. More importantly, with its essence rooted in stillness, introspection, and perseverance, yoga in Hue is not merely a passing trend, it has become a meaningful practice that brings lasting value to both individuals and the broader community.

A testament to this is the International Day of Yoga event held in Hue in July 2023, which attracted over 1,000 participants. The event not only added vibrancy to the cultural and sports landscape of the former imperial capital but also opened up a new direction for sports and wellness tourism, building on the city’s existing strengths and unique potential.

Following that, in March 2024, the Association for Women Intellectuals of Hue Central Hospital launched a yoga club specifically for female cancer patients. This special class focuses primarily on mental therapy, aiming to provide strength after chemotherapy sessions and to foster positive energy, helping these women stay resilient in their fight against illness and encouraging a swift return to their families.

To continue spreading the core values of yoga, as part of the community health-focused event “Hue Sport Festival III - 2025” (scheduled to open on July 20), the first Hue City Open Yoga Championship and activities celebrating International Yoga Day 2025 were held from July 12 to 13. These events, organized with community support, took place at the square opposite Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted.

“Although this is the first time the event is being held, it has already attracted 20 yoga clubs from Hue City and several other provinces and cities to register for participation. This is a great motivation for yoga in general, and yoga in Hue in particular, to continue spreading its positive values,” shared Ms. Phan Dieu Linh, Head of the Linh Kha Yoga Club and organizer of the 2 yoga activities at Hue Sport Festival 2025.