Hue is a land once at the heart of the nation’s political power, culture, and scholarship; yet, today’s Hue is not merely looking back to the past. The city is quietly preparing for a major transformation, aiming to become Asia’s leading smart coastal heritage city by 2045.

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.

During this Binh Ngo Lunar New Year, the community of Hue heritage enthusiasts receive good news. That is the comeback of the once-renowned lien lang Chuon (the Chuon village decorative scroll). The journey of reviving this valuable type of folk painting, which has been lost for some time, is a long story which took not only sweat, buy also dedication of young people who love the heritage.

“Afternoon in My Homeland” was not only an artistic program commemorating the late musician Trinh Cong Son, but also a gathering of kindred spirits who share a deep affinity for his music.

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.

On the morning of February 26 (the 10th day of the first lunar month), Sinh Village wrestling festival in Duong No Ward, Hue City, officially opened in a vibrant atmosphere, drawing large crowds of residents and visitors from across the region to cheer and compete in the arena.

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.

With the finalization of the North-South high-speed railway, Hue’s transportation network will encompass five principal modes: road, rail, inland waterways, aviation, and maritime transport, paving the way for the city’s breakthrough development.

The excited chatter of children in the corner of the house does not make Mrs Ton Nu Minh Trang miss a beat as she gently shakes the tray of cakes. She smiles knowingly: “They’ll break everything if they rush around! Making phuc linh cakes can’t be hurried or done carelessly!”

There are people who work their entire lives quietly, yet their footprints remain deeply imprinted on the lands they have passed through, like an underground stream that silently nourishes an entire forest. Associate Professor Dr. Le Van Thang, Vice President of Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, former Director of the Institute of Resources and Environment at Hue University, and former Dean of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Sciences, Hue University, is one such person.