The royal mausoleum guardians

Viewed from the realities of conserving and promoting cultural heritage, successive generations at the Hue Monuments Conservation Center have continually wrestled with a question: how can heritage be more than merely “preserved”…

On a pure morning, I bumped into groups of visitors strolling along the path leading into Hue Imperial Citadel. Cradling her camera in both hands, Ms. Marie, a French tourist, asked the guide in a gentle voice: “May I… try on Vietnam’s traditional costume?”. That question seemed to open an unexpected journey for them, an experience that felt as if they could touch the ancient soul of Hue

From the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 17), the spring travel atmosphere in Hue has been vibrant and festive. Visitors from across Vietnam, along with international tourists, have chosen the former imperial capital as their holiday destination, creating a lively tourism scene on the very first day of the New Year.

Young designer Linda Hoang (born Hoang Kim Ngoc Uyen Nhi in 1992 in Hue City) is transforming the traditional ao dai by bringing dragon-horse patterns and royal court motifs to linen garments and modern fashion. ​

On the morning of February 10th (the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake), under fine weather conditions, Hue Monuments Conservation Center reenacted the ceremony of setting up Neu pole (Thuong Tieu ceremony) in strict accordance with royal court rituals of the Nguyen Dynasty. The activity was part of Hue Festival 2026, attracting large numbers of locals and visitors to observe and experience the event, recreating the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday in the former Royal Palace.