Hue’s elevation to a centrally-governed municipality from early 2025 has taken place in a special context: the country is undergoing a major administrative restructuring, reducing the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34. While 52 other localities are expanding through mergers, Hue has chosen a different path - no consolidation, no expansion by aggregation, but an upgrade built on its existing identity and structural foundation.

Ask the people of Hue what flower they love most, and most will likely answer: the apricot blossom. To put it more formally, “hoang mai” - yellow apricot, without a doubt. Don’t believe it? Come to Hue and see for yourself! There’s a whole movement called “Yellow apricot blossom in front of the entrance”; a completed research project on “Conservation and development of Hue’s yellow apricot variety (Hue’s Hoang mai)”; a scientific conference on developing Hue’s Hoang mai into a key local product, aimed at successfully realizing the project to build Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) into Vietnam’s yellow apricot homeland. My friend, journalist Minh Tu, even published a book called “In front of the house stands a yellow apricot tree”, which sold out instantly, was reprinted, and translated into foreign languages to great acclaim.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just announced the 2024 environmental protection rankings (covering 63 provinces and centrally governed cities before administrative mergers) based on the PEPI Index. Thua Thien Hue Province, now Hue City, has risen to claim first place on the rankings.

On the morning of February 5, a delegation from Salavan Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, led by Comrade Daovong Phonekeo, Member of the Central Committee of Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Secretary of Salavan Provincial Party Committee, visited and extended Tet greetings to the leaders of Hue City.

On the afternoon of February 4, Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Standing Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, held a courtesy reception for a delegation from Champasak Province (Lao People’s Democratic Republic). The delegation visited, extended Tet greetings, and congratulated the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The delegation was led by Mr. Somboun Heuangvongsa, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Champasak Provincial Administration Committee.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 of Vietnamese people, on January 29th, a delegation from Sekong Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, paid a visit and extended New Year greetings to the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Hue City. The delegation was led by Comrade Bounlai Bouththi, Member of the Central Committee of Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Secretary of Sekong Provincial Party Committee.

On the afternoon of January 16th, a working delegation from Ha Tinh Province, led by Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Phan Thien Dinh, had a working session with the People’s Committee of Hue City to exchange and learn from experience in the management, investment, and operation of smart urban development models and modern, sustainable household solid waste treatment.

On the morning of December 19, at Km 64+400 (Huong Tra Ward), the Ministry of Construction, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Hue City and the People’s Committee of Quang Tri Province, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the investment project to expand the Eastern North-South expressway, Cam Lo - La Son section.

On the afternoon of December 9, in Hue City, the Border Guard Commands of three provinces and cities: Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Ngai (Vietnam), held the 19th annual talks in 2025 with the Military Command of Sekong Province (Lao People's Democratic Republic).

Following Directive No. 234 dated November 30th, 2025, issued by the Prime Minister on launching and implementing “Quang Trung Campaign” to urgently rebuild and repair homes for the families whose houses were damaged during recent natural disasters in the central provinces, on the morning of December 6th, at Khe Tre Commune, Hue City People’s Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin the construction of new homes for residents whose houses had collapsed or been severely damaged.