On the shady Le Duan street, there is a small handicraft workshop resounding daily with the whir of grinders and the buzz of cutting machines. There, coconut shells once thought to be discarded are adorned with shimmering mother-of-pearl, transformed into souvenirs imbued with the essence of Hue.

On the afternoon of January 29, Song Huong Magazine launched the “Song Huong - The convergence festival” literary essay contest - 2026, aiming to spread the image of Hue during its new stage of development and seek out valuable literary works about the land and people of the Ancient Capital.

When people think of Hue, many envision a serene land “steeped” in Buddhism with hundreds of temples and pagodas. Amid the bustling rhythm of a modern Hue, life behind each pagoda gate is far from dull, but it is a refined embodiment of spiritual beauty that deeply enriches the inner world of many residents of the Ancient Capital. Here, every scene, every space, every presence expressed a quiet, profound stillness, like a sutra in motion.

Hue Ancient Capital is a paradise for vegetarian cuisine. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, even restaurants that usually serve meat often switch entirely to vegetarian dishes. This is hardly surprising, given that Hue is one of Vietnam’s major Buddhist centers, a land steeped in spiritual traditions, where eating vegetarian food has become a beautiful cultural feature.

Hue, the former ancient capital, is a land with a resilient tradition of resistance against foreign invasion. Its peaceful rural outskirts, home to hardworking and loyal people, have produced many talented individuals and renowned historical figures.

“Each journalist chooses their own path to delve deep into the field of words. I’m fortunate to be born and work as a journalist right in the sacred land of Hue Ancient Capital, a place rich in cultural values. Although Hue’s literary heritage is “tranquil and moss-covered”, to me, it is always captivating”.

Phuoc Tich is an ancient village located in Phong Hoa Ward, Phong Dien Town, Hue City. The village was established in 1470. Though small, Phuoc Tich boasts 12 river wharfs, symbolizing the 12 founding families who first settled the land. Along with the founding of the village, migrants from Đàng Ngoài (Outer Realm) who came to this land to make a living also brought with them the traditional craft of pottery.

As part of the plan to organize the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025, the spring festival - “Spring of the Ancient Capital” has many unique programs and activities. Not only are there festival activities in the city center, but in the land on the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the “Spring Colors of A Luoi Highlands” festival would create more highlights and impressions for visitors to Hue this March.

Flowing through the center of Hue City, the Huong River, a heritage river, is one of the iconic symbols of Hue Ancient Capital. Visitors to Hue will surely be enchanted not only by the Huong River but also by the peaceful, tranquil, and vibrant beauty of the Dong Ba River, the An Cuu River, and the Ngu Ha River, etc. This is why Hue is known as the “city of rivers”. Associated with over 700 years of history in expanding and developing the land of Thuan Hoa - Phu Xuan, each of these rivers is not just a natural landscape, but also a historical and cultural witness to this land.

French architectural works are considered an integral part of the cultural and historical landscape of the Ancient Capital. This has also motivated young people from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sciences, Hue University to seek ways to contribute to preserving the image of ancient Hue.