Inspired by a love for traditional culture, young designers in Hue are finding ways to bring heritage values into clothing through their own creative languages.

On October 14, the Department of Science and Technology, the standing board of the Organizing Committee for the 2026 Hue City Creative Startup Competition, held the semifinal round for 30 outstanding projects selected from the preliminary round. This semifinal round was held under the theme ‘Promoting Cultural Heritage Values in the Digital Economy’.

Hue has the potential not only to become a prominent culinary destination in Southeast Asia but also to work towards a position among Asia’s leading culinary centers. Therefore, preparing an application dossier to join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of cuisine would strengthen Hue’s culinary brand name, promote its cultural values more widely, and boost tourism.

Amid rapid technological change, entrepreneurship education at universities needs to create an environment where students can develop creative thinking, problem-solving capacity, and the ability to apply knowledge in practice. This was also the focus of discussions among experts, managers, lecturers, and businesses at the workshop ‘Innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education’, organized by Hue University on the afternoon of September 18.

Beyond visiting heritage sites, enjoying local cuisine and exploring traditional crafts, residents and visitors to Hue now have more interactive and creative ways to experience the city. From getting acquainted with the handpan and making wagashi by hand to painting and crafting, … small-scale workshops are adding new ‘colors’ to the life experiences in the Ancient Capital.

On July 22nd, 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Official Dispatch No. 4538/BVHTTDL-DSVH to Hue City People’s Committee, expressing its support for Hue in preparing an application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of Gastronomy. This is an important step, providing further political and professional support for the city to concentrate resources, complete its application and work toward the 2027 selection cycle.

On the afternoon of August 20, at Duyet Thi Duong Theater - Hue Imperial Citadel, the City People’s Committee held a conference themed ‘The digital community pioneers together for a smart, creative, secure, safe, and prosperous Hue in the new era of development’.

Among about 3,000 dishes documented nationwide, over 1,700 are believed to be prepared in Hue styles, bearing the distinctive hallmarks of the former imperial capital’s cuisine. This rich culinary heritage is one of the key reasons that Hue has chosen gastronomy as the focus of its application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Drawing inspiration from renowned artists with the combination of traditional materials, the child artists had the chance to experience an inspiring creative journey. Each artwork presented to the public not only showcased the children’s artistic talent but also conveyed a unique message of its own.

For many years, discussions about the cultural industries have tended to focus on products, events, or specific sectors. However, as the global creative economy continues to evolve, one concept has become increasingly emphasized: branding.

Being creative and having fun with lines and colors is not only an opportunity for each young person to practice their painting skills, but also a moment of relaxation, peace of mind, and a way of living slowly amid the hustle and bustle of today's life.