From May 4 to 13, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is coordinating with the People's Committee of Hue City, Tourism Development Support Fund, Vietnam Airlines, and partners to organize a program introducing Vietnamese tourism, traditional craft villages, and cuisine, and connecting businesses on the occasion of the National Tourism Year - Hue 2025 in three European countries, including Italy, Switzerland, and France.

Bustling energy, vibrant Zèng patterns, the echo of gongs blending with joyful laughter – together, they paint a vivid picture of the highlands in springtime, full of life and colors.

Appearing during the revolutionary movement in 1940 in the South, the red flag with yellow star – a particularly sacred symbol of Vietnam– is closely associated with the Vietnamese People’s history of defence and preservation of national independence, as well as the renewal and development process, standing shoulder to shoulder with great powers across the five continents.

Dozens of displaying booths promoting the culture and tourism of provinces and cities across the country gathered in Hue to participate in the exhibition themed “Space for Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Landmarks, and Traditional Handicraft Products of Vietnam”.

On April 27, during the first working session of the 45th International Conference of French-speaking Mayors, taking place from April 27 to 29 in Hue City, the delegates discussed issues related to the theme “Commitment to a More Sustainable World”.

For three nights, from April 25 to 27, at Di Nhien Duong Pavilion - an ancient architectural structure in Thieu Phuong Garden - within Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center collaborated with the Doi Dep tea brand to organize the program “Re-enacting the scene of the emperors hosting tea party for his mandarins” as part of the launch of the Royal tea enjoyment service.

On the afternoon of April 26th, at Tang Tho Lau (Archive Pavilion) inside Hue Imperial City, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the “Exploring and Promoting the value of the Documentary Heritage: The relief castings on the Nine Dynastic Urns at Hue Imperial Citadel” event in celebration of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2025.

On the afternoon of April 26, at the exhibition space on the 2nd floor of Kien Trung Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the opening ceremony of an exhibition themed “The odyssey of Vietnamese ceramics”. This event is part of Hue Festival 2025 and the National Tourism Year 2025.

In the festive atmosphere of the “Colors of Spring in the Highlands” celebration in A Luoi, amidst the “tung tung da da” dances and echoing gong sounds, I was fortunate to witness a special ritual of the Co Tu people - the An Ninh Pa Nua festival. This is one of their ancient traditional ceremonies, expressing the sacred feelings of the bride’s family toward the groom’s family after many years of being in-laws.

The inaugural Van Xa “Steps of Ancient Fragrance” Race 2025, organized by the People’s Committee of Huong Van Ward (Huong Tra Town), will be kicked off on the morning of April 27th. As of April 24th, over 2,000 runners have registered, making it the local race with the highest number of participants ever recorded.