Many visitors from afar often say that Hue is blessed with an abundance of breathtaking scenery. Wherever the eye turns, beauty unfolds, a poetic Hue City that inspires people to capture and preserve its quiet, gentle, and intimate moments. Perhaps this is why in Hue, every time a camera is raised, a beautiful shot emerges, whether taken with a smartphone or a high-end digital device…

In Greek mythology, the supreme god Zeus transformed himself into a bull to seduce the beautiful princess Europa. When she mounted his back, the bull carried her across the sea to the island of Crete, where she gave birth to great kings, seen as an allegory for the birth of European civilization. The continent of Europe was therefore named after her – Europa, later known by the common name Europe.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, when streets are awash in the golden hues of apricot blossoms, young people once again eagerly enter the season of photo hunting. From the Imperial Citadel, ancient pagodas, and Dong Ba Market to cafes decorated in spring colors, every street corner and every space become a backdrop for capturing beautiful moments. Tet photos not only mark the transition between the old year and the new, but also reflect the vibrant, youthful rhythm of life in the heart of the Ancient Capital.

Growing up from the fields, steeped in rustic flavors of the countryside - “salty fermented vegetables, sour white eggplant”, yet it was not until my late forties that I first heard of mut ca phao (white eggplant preserves) from Hue. The humble eggplant, so familiar on simple family meals, appears here in an entirely unfamiliar form - a delicately beautiful preserves for the Lunar New Year.

Mossy temples, royal mausoleums, ancient pagodas and the beautiful scenery granted to the former capital city all together form an “urban poem.” And that beauty of Hue is even more gorgeous through eyes of talented painters.

From free English classes in mountainous areas to pink bricks used to build houses for poor households, the youth of Hue City Police are spreading a beautiful way of life through practical and humane actions, contributing to accompanying and uplifting disadvantaged circumstances.

“Dear everyone! Let's join hands to make Hue clean and beautiful again soon!” - I paused for a long moment in front of that message - a message sent out by HEPCO (Hue Urban Environment and Public Works Joint Stock Company) just as the floodwaters in Hue slowly, little by little, receded, revealing massive amounts of trash and damaged items submerged in the murky water.

The exhibition titled “HER-ITAGE - Restructuring Traditional Embroidery”, held in late September, left many emotions and beautiful impressions on visitors and Hue residents with bridal gowns that carry cultural stories. At the exhibition, viewers could see firsthand the delicate, creative, and soaring carvings, inlays, and cuts of Vietnamese traditional embroidery art shown on vivid patterns of bridal gowns, including Hue royal motifs.

“Up to now, nearly 200 works and items within the Complex of Hue Monuments have been preserved, restored, and renovated, with a total expense of over 2.000 billion VND. This work has always strictly complied with the regulations of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, UNESCO guidelines, and the Law on Cultural Heritage of Vietnam, ensuring authenticity, integrity, and adaptability to the harsh climate conditions of the Central region of Vietnam, etc.,”. These details were shared by Hue Monuments Conservation Center to Mr. Lazare Eloundou, Director of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Center during his visit and working trip in Vietnam at the end of May.

Hue is becoming increasingly modern and vibrant thanks to key transportation projects that are being synchronously invested in and developed.