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.

On a pure morning, I bumped into groups of visitors strolling along the path leading into Hue Imperial Citadel. Cradling her camera in both hands, Ms. Marie, a French tourist, asked the guide in a gentle voice: “May I… try on Vietnam’s traditional costume?”. That question seemed to open an unexpected journey for them, an experience that felt as if they could touch the ancient soul of Hue

On December 4th, Standing Member of the City Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh held a meeting with Mr. Eric Soulier, the newly appointed Cultural Counsellor of French Embassy and Director of French Institute in Vietnam (Institut français du Vietnam - IFV).

Hue starts entering winter, beginning a series of long and wet rainy days. But truly, if tourists could “embrace” this Hue’s weather, they will not only fully experience all the senses with the specialty of Hue rain, but can also feel Hue more vivid and authentical in its profound and peaceful space.

Market analysis plays an important role in the work of tourism development. The results released from the analysis help the tourism sector and the businesses working in this field develop appropriate strategies, and create tourism products and services that closely match the market demand. This is an urgent requirement if Hue tourism wants to expand its market and reach effective tourist attractions.

The contributions and legacy of Diem Phung Thi - a sculptor, have left a profound impact on the global sculpting scene. Hue is fortunate that she chose to return and spend the rest of her life here, ultimately donating her artistic legacy to the city. Since then, many artists have come to visit, drawing inspiration and creating their own works as if they engaged in a boundless “conversation”.

With ample room for growth, the fusion of music and tourism can attract a large number of tourists, turning tourism and related services into major revenue generators. If Hue succeeds in this endeavor, it could offer a solution to the city’s long-standing problem of lacking nighttime entertainment services.

In Da Lay commune (Da Teh district, Lam Dong province), the new homeland of the people from Hue today, it is hard to recognize the traces of the hardships from nearly half a century ago. The most recognizable feature in this rural area that carries "Hue far away" is the distinctive Hue accent, the conical hats of the elderly women glistening as they shield their kind smiles, and the lively mornings with loc and nam cakes. We arrived at the Da Lay market in the Central Highlands and felt as if we were back in Hue, enjoying street food and chatting at a corner of Dong Ba or An Cuu markets…

If they had to choose a typical cultural event to discuss on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Hue City’s liberation, many people would choose Hue Festival.

The beauty and extent of Hue’s coastline is undeniable. According to many economic experts, if Hue knows how to exploit and expand these spaces, it will significantly increase the state’s budget revenue.