It had been a very long time before the elderly painter Tran Van Mang, from the old quarter of Bao Vinh, made a “comeback.” His paintings are much like his personality: strong, decisive, yet soft and full of emotion.

Traditional culture is no longer unfamiliar to young people as the student group “Gen Z Ke Su” (Gen Z Tells History) from the Communication Technology major at FPT University Da Nang launched a media project titled “Co Vat Cung Dinh” (Royal Antiquities). The project uses modern technology applications to tell traditional stories.

In the context of a heritage city that is gradually affirming its position as a distinctive cultural center of the country, the development of reading culture in Hue is no longer a purely promotional issue. Instead, it has become a strategic matter, closely associated with human quality, endogenous strength, and the city’s vision for sustainable development.

More than 16,000 martyrs’ graves in cemeteries across the city remain largely unidentified. The journey of surveying, collecting biological samples, and conducting DNA testing is not only a political mission, but also an effort to restore names to those who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland, so that their families no longer have to wait in vain.

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 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.

In the context of rapid global digital transformation, the digital economy is no longer an optional trend but has become a core driver of development for countries and localities. With a structure consisting of three main pillars: the core digital economy, the platform-based digital economy, and the digital transformation of traditional industries - this model is reshaping how value is created, how resources are distributed, and how social life is organized.

Amid the flow of visitors experiencing the Ancient Capital, the image of Mr. Nguyen Don Long - a male tour guide (born in 1986) wearing the traditional ao dai - quietly tells the story of love for culture, spreading traditional values in a distinct Hue way.

For a long time, tourism in Hue has largely relied on cultural and heritage assets, resulting in short visitor stays, relatively low spending levels, and limited value creation. As tourism trends shift strongly toward resort-based, experiential, and sports-oriented travel, developing marine tourism, especially coastal resort tourism, is not only a new direction but also a necessity for restructuring the visitor market toward higher-spending segments.

Many journeys back to old Hue begin with seemingly small details. For me, it was a visit to An Thu garden house in Gia Hoi old quarter - a contemplative Hue residence nestled behind lush green trees. Mr. Vo Chanh Tien, the current caretaker, led me through the rooms while sharing the house's history and stories of generations tied to the garden and the rhythm of the old Gia Hoi. But what made me linger the longest was actually… beneath my feet.