On the shady Le Duan street, there is a small handicraft workshop resounding daily with the whir of grinders and the buzz of cutting machines. There, coconut shells once thought to be discarded are adorned with shimmering mother-of-pearl, transformed into souvenirs imbued with the essence of Hue.

During their spring outings, beyond visiting heritage sites and familiar attractions, many travelers to Hue have chosen a distinctive way to experience Tet: seeking out traditional craft spaces, personally experiencing hands-on activities, and creating handmade products imbued with the rich cultural identity of Hue Ancient Capital.

On a pure morning, I bumped into groups of visitors strolling along the path leading into Hue Imperial Citadel. Cradling her camera in both hands, Ms. Marie, a French tourist, asked the guide in a gentle voice: “May I… try on Vietnam’s traditional costume?”. That question seemed to open an unexpected journey for them, an experience that felt as if they could touch the ancient soul of Hue

Thousands of flower pots, together with decorative miniatures featuring the horse mascot along the two banks of the Perfume River, have emerged as a focal point of the Binh Ngo Tet (Lunar New Year of the Horse) 2026. The urban space of Hue has thus preserved its ancient charm while creating a distinct touch of modern beauty.

On the evening of February 11 (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), in the shimmering garden setting of the Royal Treasury Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the “Royal Tet” program, opening a spring celebration space rich in ancient royal tradition. Being held over two nights, February 11 and 12, the program attracted a large number of locals and visitors.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, when streets are awash in the golden hues of apricot blossoms, young people once again eagerly enter the season of photo hunting. From the Imperial Citadel, ancient pagodas, and Dong Ba Market to cafes decorated in spring colors, every street corner and every space become a backdrop for capturing beautiful moments. Tet photos not only mark the transition between the old year and the new, but also reflect the vibrant, youthful rhythm of life in the heart of the Ancient Capital.

From late January to early February 2026, Hue City Art Troupe brings Hue Royal Court Music (Nha nhac) and other distinctive cultural values of the Ancient Capital to perform and promote in Sydney, Darwin, and Canberra (Australia).

“Nghien cuu Hue” (“Researching Hue”) is a series of books about Hue, born out of researchers’ deep affection for Hue culture. The series is considered the continuity of the B.A.V.H. (Bulletin des Amis du Vieux Hué) by the Association of Friends of Ancient Hue.

On the afternoon of January 29, Song Huong Magazine launched the “Song Huong - The convergence festival” literary essay contest - 2026, aiming to spread the image of Hue during its new stage of development and seek out valuable literary works about the land and people of the Ancient Capital.

Hue - the tranquil Ancient Capital, where the slow rhythm of life blends with profound cultural depth has long nurtured a dream colored by the green grass of the football pitch: the dream of seeing Hue football present in the V-League, the highest level of Vietnamese football.