From scraps of fabric seemingly destined for the trash, two students: Dong Nguyen Nhat Minh (Grade 6) and Lai The Tai (Grade 7) from Khe Tre Town Secondary School (Phu Loc District) have assembled them into vivid collage paintings that tell the story of their village, inspired by a deep love for Co Tu culture.

The “Ao Dai and Music” art show, held on the stage along the banks of the Perfume River on the evening of June 20th, marked the closing of the 2025 Hue Community Ao Dai Week. The event unfolded in a space rich in identity, emotion, and deep affection for Ao dai Vietnam.

“Each journalist chooses their own path to delve deep into the field of words. I’m fortunate to be born and work as a journalist right in the sacred land of Hue Ancient Capital, a place rich in cultural values. Although Hue’s literary heritage is “tranquil and moss-covered”, to me, it is always captivating”.

Inspired by the flexible modular system of sculptor Diem Phung Thi, and with deep respect and admiration for her talent and creativity, the artists have explored and created new works of art.

Some gifts are not beautifully wrapped or adorned with fancy words, yet they carry a profound sense of affection for someone one never met. Donated hair, in this context, also symbolizes deep love and empathy.

While not as famous as the Sonneratia forest in Cu Lao Dung (Soc Trang), the Sonneratia forest along the Lam River in Nghe An, or the one in Cu Lao Bac Phuoc (Quang Tri), etc., the Sonneratia trees along the coastal areas of Hue City are nevertheless taking root deeply in the mud and soil of the land every day.

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.

Although she has chosen a reclusive life on the edge of Thien An forest (Hue City), just as the saying goes, “good wine needs no bush,” many international tourists visiting Hue have asked travel companies to take them to meet People’s Artisan Hoang Thi Nhu Huy so that they can converse with her and gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture.

Responding to the “Ao Dai Week”, women across A Luoi have been donning their traditional ao dai, shining in costumes made from Zeng fabric. The fusion of ao dai Vietnam with the intricate patterns of A Luoi Zeng fabric creates a look that is both graceful and deeply rich heritage value.

“Hue’s fragrance”, let me use this term to describe one of the quintessential features of Hue - its aroma in the cuisine. This quintessential feature has become a deep love, a profound memory, and an unforgettable nostalgia in the hearts of countless people!