The Vietnam Cinema Association has discussed and proposed Hue City People’s Committee consider approving the hosting and co-organization of the 2026 Golden Kite Awards.

Hue has been a centrally governed municipality for more than a year, making planning adjustments subject to many new requirements. Regarding this issue, Dr. Ngo Viet Nam Son, Architect, shared his perspectives with Hue Today Weekly on development thinking, regional connectivity, and long-term growth drivers for Hue heritage city.

The 2021-2025 period can be regarded as one of the most extraordinary stages in the development history of Hue City. This was not merely a term of socio-economic development following a conventional trajectory, but rather a period of “running while lining up”: simultaneously coping with unprecedented shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and global instability, while concentrating resources to realize the strategic goal of becoming a centrally governed municipality.

Its tranquil atmosphere, unhurried pace of life, and poetic scenery have made Hue a favored destination for those seeking peace and serenity. Free from the noise and rush of modern life, Hue Ancient Capital seems to carry its own rhythm, slow enough for people to reconnect with themselves, yet gentle enough to soothe the burdens of everyday life.

Following the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, Hue continues to see a surge in visitors during the April 30 - May 1 holiday, with occupancy rates at many accommodation establishments are near full capacity. The influx has pushed the tourism sector and businesses to ramp up efforts to ensure both service quality and flexible management of operations, heading to the goals of enhancing visitor experiences and reaching industry development.

For many years, the development of waterway tourism has been a consistent goal, as the potential of Hue's rivers remained largely untapped. Following the City People's Committee's announcement of the inland waterway route on the Ngu Ha River, along with the pilot launch of heritage-linked tourism routes using electric boats on the Huong River and its tributaries, the local waterway tourism is expected to be unlocked.

Hue chess has long been renowned for its famous female players, such as Nguyen Thi Thuan Hoa, Hoang Thi Bao Tram, Hoang Thi Nhu Y, and Vo Thi Kim Phung, etc. After these outstanding players retired or moved to compete for other localities, Hue chess recently received good news at the beginning of 2026 as 18-year-old Nguyen Ha Khanh Linh was awarded the title of FIDE Master by the World Chess Federation.

“The shift from fossil fuel-based transport to green mobility requires the participation of people, businesses and government,” shared Mr. Cung Trong Cuong, Director of the Hue Institute for Development Studies, in an interview with Hue Today Weekly.

On the morning of April 20, Hue City Institute for Development Studies, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City, organized a training workshop titled: “Applying Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Standards in Production and Business Operations: Sustainable Solutions to Expand Markets and Supply Chains”.

The review and adjustment of Hue’s urban master plan to 2045, with a vision toward 2065, marks a pivotal moment for the city’s future development. As Hue has recently become a centrally-run governed municipality, the planning process goes beyond merely updating technical indicators or redefining urban boundaries; it opens an opportunity to redefine a long-term development vision for one of Vietnam’s most distinctive heritage cities.