Hue’s elevation to a centrally-governed municipality from early 2025 has taken place in a special context: the country is undergoing a major administrative restructuring, reducing the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34. While 52 other localities are expanding through mergers, Hue has chosen a different path - no consolidation, no expansion by aggregation, but an upgrade built on its existing identity and structural foundation.

Two world heritage cities - York (the UK) and Kyoto (Japan) - have been implementing Net Zero tourism models that Hue can refer and adapt to its local context.

On 7 January, on behalf of the Politburo, General Secretary To Lam signed and promulgated Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture. The Resolution was issued in the context of the country entering a new stage of development with increasingly high requirements for rapid and sustainable development, with a close linkage between the economy, politics, society, culture and the people.

A brand is not merely to introduce the name or to prove the origin of a product, but an “identity card” that affirms its credibility and quality to customers. Especially in the context of fierce competition, developing Hue brands is not only an economic challenge but also a way to preserve, honor, and spread the unique values of the former imperial capital.

Facing with the growing pressure of increasing household waste volumes, Hue is confronted with the need to renew its approach to urban waste management. In the context of the circular economy becoming an inevitable trend for modern cities, to reuse is not only an environmental action but also a strategy for sustainable development.

That was the theme of the First National Scientific Conference for Law Students in 2025, held by the network of Law Training Institutions in Vietnam, in collaboration with the University of Law, Hue University; Hanoi Law University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Industry and Trade on December 19.

On December 4th, the University of Sciences, Hue University, in coordination with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi, organized the 2025 Dialogue Program under the theme: “Cooperation in Journalism - Communication Training in the Post-Digital Context.”

In the context of the increasingly extensive development of Vietnam-Japan relations, local cooperation has become an important driving force that fosters strong and lasting ties between the two countries. For Hue - Vietnam’s unique heritage city - Japan is not only a partner in economy, trade, and tourism, but also a special companion in the journey of cultural exchange, people-to-people engagement, and sustainable development rooted in heritage values.

In the context of increasingly deep integration of higher education, international cooperation has become one of the key strategies to enhance the quality of training, research, and academic reputation. Hue University has been affirming its role as a major training and scientific research center in the Central - Central Highlands region, and the whole country, through significant advancements in international cooperation.

Through an interdisciplinary approach involving cultural anthropology, sociology, linguistics, and heritage studies, the project “Core elements that create Hue’s identity, a distinctive land in Vietnamese culture - once the Imperial Capital, a center of culture - religion - arts, and a symbol of deep-rooted traditions” seeks to clarify the role and value of Hue’s identity within the broader national culture. At the same time, it suggests directions for sustainable preservation and promotion in the context of modernization and globalization.