Bustling energy, vibrant Zèng patterns, the echo of gongs blending with joyful laughter – together, they paint a vivid picture of the highlands in springtime, full of life and colors.

In late March, thousands of locals and tourists flocked to the Ethnic Cultural Village of A Luoi District to attend the “Highland Spring Colors of A Luoi” festival. Many were deeply moved by a dramatic excerpt from the Ar Puc Festival, which recreated the love story of Cu Hun, Thail, and Klai.

Appearing during the revolutionary movement in 1940 in the South, the red flag with yellow star – a particularly sacred symbol of Vietnam– is closely associated with the Vietnamese People’s history of defence and preservation of national independence, as well as the renewal and development process, standing shoulder to shoulder with great powers across the five continents.

In the festive atmosphere of the “Colors of Spring in the Highlands” celebration in A Luoi, amidst the “tung tung da da” dances and echoing gong sounds, I was fortunate to witness a special ritual of the Co Tu people - the An Ninh Pa Nua festival. This is one of their ancient traditional ceremonies, expressing the sacred feelings of the bride’s family toward the groom’s family after many years of being in-laws.

As part of the plan to organize the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025, the spring festival - “Spring of the Ancient Capital” has many unique programs and activities. Not only are there festival activities in the city center, but in the land on the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the “Spring Colors of A Luoi Highlands” festival would create more highlights and impressions for visitors to Hue this March.

It is the sophisticated sharp carving and the glittering lacquer layers, especially the shiny gold color, that make the relics in Hue look superb and majestic. Visitors to relics not only admire the constructions themselves but also recognize the talent and the wholeheartedness of artisans.

The natural-colored paintings of pressed flowers and leaves under the hands of Vo Thi Quynh, a former literature teacher at Quoc Hoc Hue High school for the Gifted, bring viewers innocent and rustic emotions.

On the morning of March 29, “A Luoi Highland Spring Colors Festival” 2025 officially opened at the Communal House in the Ethnic Minority Culture Village of A Luoi District (Hong Thanh Commune). The event attracted a large number of ethnic minorities and tourists from both inside and outside the province to experience the unique cultural space of the mountainous region.

In March, when you visit Bach Ma National Park, you will experience a spring filled with the colors of rhododendrons, bellflowers, and the lingering golden hues of the liquidambar formosana leaves standing out in the misty air.

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.