More than just souvenir products, many heritage sites in Hue are being “refreshed” with products that showcase the distinctive cultural identity of the imperial court.

Alongside the Hue heritage complex, the French architectural works that remain today are seen as part of the soul of Hue’s urban landscape. Through the lens of sketching, these structures appear to take on a new look and a different kind of “life” in the eyes of artists and architects.

On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the liberation of Hue (March 26th, 2026), along with Hue Railway Station being officially recognized as a “Tourist Destination” and the “Connecting Heritage Journey” train launching a new look connecting layers of memory and culture, the Hoa Xa coffee shop and claypot rice restaurant was officially introduced to take part and accompany this development.

On the morning of March 26, Vietnam Railways (VNR), in coordination with the City People’s Committee, unveiled the new design of the “Connecting Central Heritage Journey” train and announced Hue Railway Station’s recognition as a tourist destination.

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.

In Hue, the traditional Lunar New Year “Tet” does not arrive with fanfare. It begins quietly in the kitchen, from a pot of banh tet (a cylindrical sticky rice cake with mung beans and pork) glowing over the fire, from the warm scent of ginger, from a jar of mixed pickled vegetables. Just by looking at these dishes, people in Hue know that Tet is very near.

The city has undergone a process of accumulation and infrastructure investment, transforming its urban landscape. Completed urban infrastructure projects have largely met the requirements for connecting the central urban area with satellite towns, creating momentum for the city’s socio-economic development.

The eastern shore of the Tam Giang Lagoon, once divided by geographical distance and infrastructural constraints, has now taken on a new look.

“It's time to look at reading in a broader manner in terms of getting knowledge and information. Reading is the event itself, helping the reader absorb new things,” said Truong Thi My Dung, chairwoman of Hue Book and Culture Club about reading for the time being.

2024 is a significant year in the process of developing Thua Thien Hue into a centrally-governed municipality according to Resolution 54-NQ/TW of the Politburo. Therefore, Hue City is focusing its resources and directing the implementation of key development projects to expand urban space, aiming to create connectivity between the city's North and South districts.

Taking place from August 16 to 24 at 15 Le Loi, Hue City, the 28th Northern Central region fine arts exhibition organized by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in collaboration with the Union of Arts and Culture Associations of Thua Thien Hue is a great and meaningful activity of regional fine arts.