Ask the people of Hue what flower they love most, and most will likely answer: the apricot blossom. To put it more formally, “hoang mai” - yellow apricot, without a doubt. Don’t believe it? Come to Hue and see for yourself! There’s a whole movement called “Yellow apricot blossom in front of the entrance”; a completed research project on “Conservation and development of Hue’s yellow apricot variety (Hue’s Hoang mai)”; a scientific conference on developing Hue’s Hoang mai into a key local product, aimed at successfully realizing the project to build Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) into Vietnam’s yellow apricot homeland. My friend, journalist Minh Tu, even published a book called “In front of the house stands a yellow apricot tree”, which sold out instantly, was reprinted, and translated into foreign languages to great acclaim.

From a modest family yard to a Hue yellow apricot garden spanning thousands of square meters, the journey of Mr. Nguyen Phi Truong (Quang Dien), a 9X businessman, is not only a successful youth startup story but also a testament to the momentum of modern agricultural thinking in the digital era.

Not as common as apricot blossoms or chrysanthemums, daffodils can still be found in a few homes in Hue whenever spring returns. Enthusiasts carefully trim the bulbs, change the water, and watch the buds day by day, hoping the flowers will bloom exactly at the turn of the Lunar New Year – an elaborate pastime to welcome the new year.

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.

On February 8, the People's Committee of Phong Thai Ward held a ceremony to announce the decision to establish and launch the Phong Thai Yellow Apricot Club.

In the days following the First Full Moon Festival, many yellow apricot gardens (the signature apricot variety of Hue) in the rural areas of Hue have unexpectedly burst into bloom. Their radiant beauty has attracted large crowds of visitors eager to admire and check in.

In the early days of spring, Ngo Thanh Minh, a photography artist, was engrossed in wandering the streets of the city, taking photos of yellow apricot blossoms. The beauty of the land and people of Hue has long been an endless source of creative inspiration for him - an artist who has a “predestined affinity” with major awards.

Hue garden houses always carry a distinct charm, blending aristocratic elegance with traditional colors. With green and peaceful spaces of ‘tea’ (Acalypha evrardii) hedges, tiny yards, decorative guarding screens, as well as the yellow apricot blossom trees, and lovely persimmon plants in front of the house, etc. Hue garden houses reflect a slow-paced lifestyle that is close to nature and values the long-standing cultural values of Hue locals.

On the night of January 22, in Phong Phu Ward, Phong Dien Town, the 1st Yellow Apricot Festival 2025 kicked off with the theme “Masterpieces of Spring”.

On the afternoon of January 19th, the third annual Hue Yellow Apricot Festival - Masterpieces of Spring 2025 - was commenced at Thuong Bac Park (Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Xuan District). This festival is dedicated to honoring Hue's signature flower, the Yellow Apricot Blossom.

The collection of essays and notes, “A Yellow Apricot tree in front of the house: Notes on Hue - The elegant land of moss” (Vietnam Women’s Publishing House), was introduced by its author, Minh Tu, journalist, to book lovers at Hanoi’s Book Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi).