“Half of the Vietnamese are in Hue” - a playful remark that has become a vivid expression of the strong appeal of tourism in the land of Huong River and Mount Ngu these days. Crowds are flocking to relic sites, pagodas, royal mausoleums, and eateries during the holidays, making the Ancient Capital more vibrant and lively.

On the Lantern Festival (the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month) more than 15 years ago, the most “pure Hue native” friend I know, architect Nguyen Trong Huan, and I put on thin raincoats and walked together through the light, drifting drizzle to search for Hue’s culinary specialties. Having lived in this city for many years, Huan still longed for the flavors he once tasted.

As Lunar New Year approaches, areas around universities grow increasingly quiet. Traffic thins out, while many eateries and photocopy shops close for the holiday. Boarding houses fall silent as most students head home by the 24th or 25th day of the lunar December; those who remain are mainly from distant hometowns, working part-time, or hoping to experience Tet in a new place.

“An voc, hoc hay” (Eat well, Study well) was the theme of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival, organized by Vietnam Heritage Education in coordination with Journeys in Hue and Chan Restaurant on the morning of November 30 at 19 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hue City.

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.

Dr. Mai Hang shared a wealth of fascinating insights on nutrition and healthy eating habits for a strong and beautiful body during the program.

Eating products of the forest, tears welling up. Climbing to the highest hilltops, and trudging under dark forest canopies, mushroom hunters always face many hidden risks, such as being stung by forest bees, bitten by snakes, fallen off motorcycles, or falling into holes..., and often have to endure sudden thunderstorms in the forest. In return, along with the joy and excitement that mushroom hunting brings, many people can earn millions of dong each day to improve their livelihoods.

Bee-eaters (Merops philippinus) are a group of unique birds, with vibrant plumages, slender bodies, and long tail feathers. Bee-eaters engage in a unique courtship ritual.