More than half a century has passed, yet memories of the battles of the past remain deeply etched in the mind of veteran Le Huu Tong whenever he looks back toward the old battlefield. On the sandy ground near Huong Thuy Station, the fiery memories of that night’s battle, together with the dedication of the soldiers searching for and gathering the remains of fallen comrades, are quietly rekindling hope for countless families who have spent years waiting for news.

Nestled deep within the Huong Dien Hydropower Reservoir area in Khe Trai (Huong Tra Ward, Hue City), the Tri-Thien-Hue Regional Party Committee’s tunnel complex was the headquarters of the Regional Party Committee and Hue City Party Committee. From this underground base, they directed all activities of the liberation forces before and after the 1968 Spring offensive. Today, the site stands as a striking historical relic amid a picturesque landscape of mountains, rivers, and sky.

Early in the morning, in a three-bay house filled with sea air in Phuong Loc Village (Phu Vinh Commune), 73-year-old Tran Van Than, surrounded by bamboo baskets, miniature boats, and coracles, was moving his hands skillfully with thin bamboo strips. Having spent decades making a living from the sea, though his health no longer allows him to work at sea, his deep affection for his hometown’s sea lives on through every product he makes.

On the occasion of the ‘2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum’, taking place in Hue from September 5 to 6, Mr. Tran Huu Tuy Giang, Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, gave Hue Today a brief interview on this issue.

The Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum 2026 (the Forum) is expected to resolve obstacles, accelerate ODA-funded projects, attract investment, strengthen educational ties, and establish a mechanism for annual cooperation between localities of the two countries, contributing to creating momentum for Hue City’s economic breakthrough and deeper international integration.

Recent culinary events and festivals in Hue have emerged as popular gathering points, drawing crowds of visitors from near and far. However, what truly retains them is not merely the flavors or the festive atmosphere, but the live performances and the narratives behind each dish, offering tourists deeper insights into the history, culture, and people of Hue.

Deeply aware of the enduring losses left by war, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh from Vinh Loc Commune has devoted much of his time and energy to supporting victims of Agent Orange. Through his quiet acts of compassion, he has come to be regarded by those living with the lingering consequences of war as a real-life “Mr. But” - a benevolent figure in Vietnamese folklore.

On August 19 and September 2, Vietnamese citizens will be granted free admission to heritage sites managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center. The initiative offers an opportunity for visitors to explore Hue’s heritage during the public holidays, while gaining deeper understanding of the historical and cultural values of the Ancient Capital.

One day in mid-July, Vo Que, the poet, and the Hue City Museum of History jointly launched his publication of ‘Loi ca chau ngoc’ (tentative translation: Exquisite Lyrics). Many audience members could not help but be moved by the heartfelt devotion of a man deeply attached to Ca Hue (Hue-Singing music).

After nearly a decade of sustained cooperation with Kanto International Senior High School in Tokyo, Japan, Hai Ba Trung High School in Hue City has developed a meaningful model of international exchange. Through classroom lessons, experiential activities, charity programmes and homestays in Japan, students from both countries have not only deepened their understanding of each other’s cultures but also broadened their intercultural awareness, strengthened their appreciation of cultural identity and fostered friendship between Vietnam and Japan.