Though in his seventies, Excellent Artist Tran Thao (Phu Xuan, Hue) has never spent a single day without nha nhac (court music). He teaches it in classrooms, passing on his craft in his small house and maintaining a nha nhac club for over three decades now. Every year, he travels to An Giang, carrying with him the “music of the past” to share with others.

In the early summer morning mist, while the weather still carries a hint of chilly breeze, many people passing by Tinh Tam Lake inside Hue Citadel feel as though they have “wandered into a serene space”, where some brew tea, some enjoy tea, others gently pick lotus blossoms, while locals and visitors take the opportunity to pose for photos with the blooming lotus flowers… Tinh Tam has long been a famous scenic spot, once listed by Emperor Thieu Tri as one of the “Twenty finest landscapes of the Imperial Land”. Contributing greatly to the fame of this landmark is the white lotus, also known as the “royal” lotus.

More than 3 years after the passing of folk artisan Cong Ton Nu Tri Hue, the one who kept the secret techniques of making royal armrest pillows of the Nguyen Dynasty, also known as the “trai dua” (armrest pillow-blocks), an exhibition dedicated to her titled “Wholeheartedly, with devotion” has been organized by young people.

On April 2, Hue Association of Traditional Medicine held an incense-offering ceremony to commemorate the death anniversary of Tue Tinh, a revered master physician and Zen monk honored as the founding figure of Vietnam’s traditional medicine, at Tien Y Shrine, No. 231A Xuan 68 Street, Phu Xuan Ward.

On the morning of March 10, a traditional boat racing took place on a section of the Bo River passing through the Van Cu - Nam Thanh Residential Area (Kim Tra Ward). This is one of the key highlights in the series of activities of the Ba Bun Worship Ceremony, held over two days from March 9 to 10.

“Ve ngang mot mua hoa gao/ Thang Ba e ap ma hong/ Bang hoang tieng keu chim sao/ Mot troi hoa do menh mong…” (“Passing by a season of silk-cotton flowers / March shyly blushing pink / Startled by the call of a starling / A vast sky with red blossoms…” (from Ve ngang mua hoa gao by Thien An).

On the morning of November 29, leaders of Hue City Project Management Board for Transport Construction Investment announced that the project of coastal road and the bridge passing over Thuan An estuary has reached approximately 90% of its total construction value; and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

On the morning of November 5, the road management unit reopened one lane of traffic at the position of Km 317+150 on Pe Ke Pass, part of the Ho Chi Minh Highway passing through A Luoi 1 Commune, Hue City.

On the morning of October 26, the live broadcast site of the final round of the “Road to Mount Olympia” 2025 took place vibrantly at the Song Huong Theater, Hue City. This event is not only a festival of knowledge, but also a journey that passes on the torch of inspiration among students of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted.

I have silently promised myself to return to A Luoi for many times, yet I have to let go of my desire due to work and the passing of age. Despite not returning yet, this special land has constantly been on my mind.