At the end of each year, together with many medical schools across the country, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, holds the “Macchabée Festival - Gratitude to Those Who Donate Their Bodies to Science”. Held annually, the event has become a meaningful tradition for medical and pharmacy students to express their deep gratitude and respect to the “silent teachers” - those who have chosen to dedicate their bodies to the advancement of knowledge and the preservation of life.

In Bao Vinh Old Town, Ms. Tran Thi Minh Phung still carefully holds her brush each day to paint on glass, just as her family has done for generations. As most of the artisans from the old days have nearly disappeared, the hands of this woman in her fifties have become a place where a craft once closely associated with the royal art of Hue is being preserved.

Hue is a land once at the heart of the nation’s political power, culture, and scholarship; yet, today’s Hue is not merely looking back to the past. The city is quietly preparing for a major transformation, aiming to become Asia’s leading smart coastal heritage city by 2045.

Hue is undergoing a powerful transformation as it has become a centrally governed city, not only leveraging its natural advantages and distinctive cultural heritage but also proactively seeking new growth drivers. The development of a green logistics center and the establishment of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are viewed as strategic breakthroughs for the Ancient Capital.

Offering both a fresh artistic experience and a way to preserve the vibrant emotions of spring, the workshop on paintings to hang up for Tet led by young artist Tuyet Loan at An Yen Station (Phu Xuan Ward) has become a tranquil gathering place where participants immerse themselves in radiant brushstrokes.

In the days leading up to the Tet holiday, as the breath of spring gently weaves through every street, Dong Ba market becomes bustling and radiant. Beyond its role as the city’s largest commercial hub, this century-old market has become a familiar destination for residents and visitors to pose for commemorative photos, capturing spring moments imbued with the distinctive character of Hue.

The “Compassionate Bus” program, which brings students with disadvantaged backgrounds home for Tet, has become a humanitarian activity of member institutions of Hue University, giving young people the opportunity to reunite with their families during the spring holidays.

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 the afternoon of February 9, an art exhibition, themed “Celebrating Spring and the Zodiac of the Horse 2026”, was held at Song Huong Magazine (9 Pham Hong Thai). It was organized by Hue Fine Arts Association. This is an annual tradition having become a familiar cultural activity for Hue art community as Tet and Spring arrive.

On the afternoon of January 29th, Hue University of Sciences High School for Gifted Students organized an experiential activity titled “Hue Tuong masks - When art becomes heritage” for students. The program is part of the Local Education curriculum, aiming to help students gain a deeper understanding of local history and culture, thereby fostering love for their homeland and an awareness of the importance of respecting and preserving traditional cultural heritage values.