Hue is a land once at the heart of the nation’s political power, culture, and scholarship; yet, today’s Hue is not merely looking back to the past. The city is quietly preparing for a major transformation, aiming to become Asia’s leading smart coastal heritage city by 2045.

Hue is undergoing a powerful transformation as it has become a centrally governed city, not only leveraging its natural advantages and distinctive cultural heritage but also proactively seeking new growth drivers. The development of a green logistics center and the establishment of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are viewed as strategic breakthroughs for the Ancient Capital.

Hue City has recently launched the digitalization of its urban trees. Information on location, species, and health condition of each tree is now updated in data, paving the way for a more scientific, proactive, and safer approach to managing a heritage city.

In 2026, Hue City Museum of History aims to conduct surveys, research and upgrade 2 dossiers for nomination as special national relics, and prepare 8 new dossiers to request recognition as city-level relics.

The year 2026 opens the 2026–2030 period, marked by increasingly fierce competition to attract resources, talent, and visitors, while Hue cannot pursue rapid urbanization or heavy industry. Hue’s path must be its own: taking heritage, culture, landscape, and ways of life as deep, distinctive, and sustainable advantages; taking creativity and experience as driving forces; and placing the people of Hue at the center of all development policies.

From early 2026, in addition to maintaining current ticket prices, Hue City will significantly expand the groups eligible for free and discounted entrance fees to heritage sites within the Hue Complex of Monuments. The move aims to facilitate access to heritage for residents and students, and to promote sustainable tourism demand.

At the heart of the Imperial City of Hue, the 180-year-old Co Mat Vien (Supreme council for military and major state affairs of the Nguyen Dynasty) is gradually being revitalized in a new guise. Formerly the seat of the highest decisions of the Nguyen Dynasty, the space is being shaped into a center for creativity, education, and heritage experiences for the community.

On the first day of 2026, sunny weather set a serene and poetic tone in Hue. Both visitors and residents took time to savor the city’s unhurried, gentle pace. Beyond its famed heritage sites, spiritual and cultural spaces, parks, and public recreation areas were bustling with visitors.

The Heritage Education Materials developed by Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities were recently honored at the City Technical Innovation Contest, providing fresh impetus for bringing cultural heritage closer to younger generations.

On the evening of December 18, in Hue City, a ceremony was held to officially receive the national intangible cultural heritage title for folk knowledge related to Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup), alongside the opening of the International Culinary Festival “Hue - Culinary Capital”.