Hue offers a wealth of experiences that invite people to unwind and restore their mental balance. Finding relaxation through sound is emerging as a new option, where the sound of bells, rhythmic beats, and vibrations help listeners relax, temporarily leave their daily worries behind and reconnect with their bodies and emotions.

There was a time when the terel flute was woven into the everyday life of the Pa Hy community. Its melodies rang out during festivals, across upland fields, and on moonlit nights when young lovers met. Over time, however, fewer and fewer people have retained the knowledge of how to make and play this distinctive instrument.

As the clear, pure notes of the flute rang out after meticulous carving and tuning, a bright smile lit up Mr. Nguyen Van Tam’s face. Devoting over a decade to simple bamboo pipes, the young craftsman, born in 1993, with his deft hands and sharp ear has quietly "awakened" the sounds of traditional musical instruments, steadfastly preserving a heritage craft amid modern life.

Visitors at the Hue Singing Performance Space on Le Loi Street in Hue recently enjoyed an unexpected musical experience as the powerful rhythms of the West African Djembe blended with the familiar melodies of Hue Singing. Bringing this distinctive sound to the former imperial city was Michael Schmidt Kanté, a French musician who has spent years traveling across continents to study and perform traditional music.

For many years immersed in the sounds of chisels and hammers, Mr. Vo Huu An, born in 1975, cannot remember how many wooden works he has created.

In the early mornings, the southern part of Hue City begins with a familiar rhythm: the sound of runners’ footsteps along the coastal road, the crisp tap of shuttlecocks in a commune’s small badminton court, and the cheerful laughter of people practicing wellness fitness exercises. This sporting atmosphere has become an integral part of daily life, helping residents improve their health, strengthen community bonds, and nurture an optimistic spirit.

The melancholic sound of the khen flute drifts through the mist along the mountain slopes, whispering in harmony with the babbling streams and the rhythmic clatter of looms, creating a mystical melody that captivates travelers. The village of A Luoi today bustles with visitors from afar, as the local people have learned to leverage their cultural identity for tourism. Behind these transformations are the tireless footsteps of a Pa Co woman who loves her homeland - That is Ms. Le Thi Them, the former Head of the Culture and Information Department of the former A Luoi District, now the Head of the Party Building Committee of A Luoi 1 Commune.

Amid the majestic Truong Son Mountain, the Pa Co people continue to preserve a sacred festival, where the sound of gongs and drums blends with the flickering red flames. A Rieu Piing is a time to honor ancestors, a communal celebration that illuminates the unique cultural values of the Pa Co community.

In the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the children in my neighborhood have been joyfully practicing. Calling it a “unicorn dance troupe” sounds grand, but in fact, it’s just about a dozen kids from grades 1 to 7. One contributes an old drum, another brings a unicorn head or a Mr. Earth mask, while some dig through closets for their mothers’ Ao dai, … all gathered together to form an eager, lively team of little unicorn dancers.

The Co Tu people in hamlet 5, Nam Dong commune (merged from Huong Xuan, Thuong Nhat and Huong Son communes) still call Village Elder Tran Dinh Lua (72 years old) the “living treasure” of their village. To this day, he is one of the few remaining people who preserve the sacred sound of the gong that has been intertwined with generations of the Co Tu people.