Amid the flow of visitors experiencing the Ancient Capital, the image of Mr. Nguyen Don Long - a male tour guide (born in 1986) wearing the traditional ao dai - quietly tells the story of love for culture, spreading traditional values in a distinct Hue way.

This was the theme of the Ancient Capital Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2026, organized by Hue City Obstetrics and Gynecology Association on the morning of April 11.

During the participation in the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026, runners will benefit from a free admission to tourist attractions managed by Hue Monuments of Conservation Center. It will offer both domestic and international runners the opportunity to further explore the history, architecture, and culture of Hue Ancient Capital.

It is the season of late spring transitioning into early summer, when cicadas begin their rhythmic chorus amidst the leafy canopies. During this season, from late March to early April, Hue still carries a slight chill in late night and early morning, offering many cool parts throughout the day. This is an ideal condition for visitors from near and far to experience the natural scenery, historical relics, scenic spots, and the daily life of this ancient capital.

With the exhibition themed “Hue's intangible cultural heritage - Inspiring creativity and development”, Hue City Museum of History showcased the cultural beauty and artistic essence of the Ancient Capital to domestic friends.

Without the need for large-scale promotional campaigns, many young people are turning to social media as their own way to tell stories about Hue. From short videos and everyday imagery to artistic projects, the image of the former imperial capital is gradually reaching the public in a more vivid and relatable way.

Now in its fifth year, Hue has been hosting the Four Seasons Festival (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Instead of concentrating activities within a few peak days as in the past, the Hue Four Seasons Festival is implemented under a new model, featuring a continuous series of cultural, artistic and tourism events throughout the year to honor heritage, promote tourism and create new experiences for visitors.

As Hue undergoes a strong transformation toward a sustainable heritage - culture - tourism urban model, developing the night-time economy has become a practical necessity. The question, then, is how Hue should approach the night-time economy in a way that is both effective and civilized, while still preserving the “essence” of an Ancient Capital.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, as fashion becomes increasingly diverse and is constantly changing, the traditional ao-dai continues to remain a lasting presence in the lives of women in the former imperial capital. In Hue, the graceful image of women’s association members wearing Ao-dai is not only a symbol of beauty but also a way of preserving and spreading the traditional cultural values of their homeland.

Within the cultural complex of Hue, if the system of palaces and royal tombs defines the face of an Imperial capital, the villages along the lagoon and coastline preserve the depth of community life. There, heritage does not lie dormant in the past but lives on in every festival season, every daily custom, and every belief tied to the natural environment. The Cau Ngu Festival of Thai Duong village, held once every three years in January at the Thuan An seaport, is precisely such a heritage - a vibrant cultural practice where community memory, maritime knowledge, and the will to survive have woven together into an enduring whole across hundreds of years.