On September 14th, Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Hue inaugurated and opened the Digital Archive and Exhibition Room at its Campus 1 (Hong Duc Pagoda, 109 Minh Mang Street, Thuy Xuan Ward).

A friend of mine just came from the Southeastern region to visit Hue. After a day visiting various destinations, from the Imperial Citadel to the tombs of Emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang, then heading to the Van Thanh - Vo Thanh temples and Thien Mu Pagoda, my friend warmly remarked: “In Hue, wherever you go, you can see the Huong River. Now I understand why people here are so gentle and friendly. In this scene, by this river, it’s hard even to get upset!”.

When people think of Hue, many envision a serene land “steeped” in Buddhism with hundreds of temples and pagodas. Amid the bustling rhythm of a modern Hue, life behind each pagoda gate is far from dull, but it is a refined embodiment of spiritual beauty that deeply enriches the inner world of many residents of the Ancient Capital. Here, every scene, every space, every presence expressed a quiet, profound stillness, like a sutra in motion.

In 2012, I first visited Chi Linh - Hai Duong and toured Con Son pagoda. Having had the opportunity to visit and worship at many pagodas across Vietnam, Con Son pagoda left a deep impression on me from the very first glance, due to its scenery, its ancient charm, and an unexplainable sense of sacred understanding. Returning in 2025, that feeling remains as intact as the first time. I respectfully share with readers some photos of this ancient pagoda, which is over 700 years old. And if you have the chance, let you visit once to admire and contemplate.

On the morning of May 12 (the 15th of the lunar April month), the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of Hue City solemnly held the Grand Vesak Celebration 2569 at Tu Dam Pagoda (Truong An Ward, Thuan Hoa District), with the presence of a large number of monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers.

Despite the cold and rainy weather, many people in Hue continued the tradition of visiting pagodas on the first day of the Lunar New Year to worship Buddha and pray for a peaceful and prosperous year.

Thuy Xuan hill area, Hue city is famous for ancient pagodas such as Tu Hieu, Dong Thuyen, Bao Lam, Chau Lam, Dieu Nghiem, etc. Being lost in the clouds and wind with many rows of pine trees rustling on these hillsides in the early morning or at dusk, and listening to the sound of temple bells ringing in the wind and the steady sound of wooden bell echoing from the pagodas make my heart strangely calm and peaceful.

On the morning of July 28, the project “Hue - A City to Reduce Plastics in Central Vietnam”, funded by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) - Norway (through the WWF - Vietnam), received by Hue City People's Committee, in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Tourism, organized the inauguration of 5 waiting lounges and free water stations at tourist destinations, including: Thien Mu Pagoda, Bao Vinh Ancient Town, Ban Nguyet Bridge - Me Wharf, Vong Canh Hill, and Sinh Village wrestling area (Hue City).

On the late afternoon of May 21 (the 14th day of the 4th month in Lunar Calendar), the Provincial Executive Board of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Vesak 2568 Organization Board held the Buddha procession ceremony from Dieu De Pagoda to Tu Dam Pagoda.

From purchased pieces of broken ceramic bowls, the talented hands of Hue ceramic mosaic artisans have revived the majestic appearance of flying dragons and dancing phoenixes on Hue Ancient Capital's monuments, pagodas, temples...