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.

In the National Excellent Student Examination for the 2025-2026 academic year, Hue City won four First Prizes. Notably, Geography recorded its first-ever First Prize winner, while French returned to the highest podium position after many years, earning two First Prizes. These results reflect the sustained efforts of students from Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted, further enriching Hue’s distinguished educational record.

The humanitarian “zero-cost surgery” programs at hospitals have supported many children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is a deeply humane journey, made possible by teams of doctors and medical staff together with compassionate volunteers across the country, all sharing the hope of bringing joy and happiness to these children.

It took a whole month of scheduling before I could meet the famous Vietnamese-American chef Kevin Tien in Washington, D.C. It’s truly fascinating that in the heart of the U.S. capital, there’s a culinary space called Moon Rabbit - where this young man quietly plants seeds of creativity to bring Vietnamese cuisine to the world and inspire the Vietnamese expatriate community.

Two world heritage cities - York (the UK) and Kyoto (Japan) - have been implementing Net Zero tourism models that Hue can refer and adapt to its local context.

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.

In the mid-20th century, the establishment of multiple music publishing houses positioned Hue as a vital hub of Vietnamese music. As the former imperial capital, the city was both a magnet for prominent composers and a pioneering cradle that shaped the professional contours of Vietnam’s modern and traditional music through its distinguished publishing system.

Vo Thi Nhu Nguyen's leaf-skeleton hand fans preserve the delicate veins of fallen leaves, transforming what was once considered waste into items with a new lease on life.

Hue is leveraging its advantages in location, infrastructure, as well as special mechanisms and policies to step-by-step establish itself as a commercial hub of the Central region; in which, trade and services are identified as key drivers of growth in the coming period.

Thousands of flower pots, together with decorative miniatures featuring the horse mascot along the two banks of the Perfume River, have emerged as a focal point of the Binh Ngo Tet (Lunar New Year of the Horse) 2026. The urban space of Hue has thus preserved its ancient charm while creating a distinct touch of modern beauty.