I visited An Dinh Palace on a warm, sunny early spring day. Not counting the respectful foreign visitors pausing before each artifact, I figured that among the more than 20 young people bustling about in ao-dai, with flowers, striking various poses for photos, few knew that they were standing very close to the remnants of a famous theater from the end of the Nguyen Dynasty that has now completely disappeared: Cuu Tu Dai.

The song “Tinh ca Mua xuan” (“Spring Love Song”) by Tran Hoan, set to a poem by Nguyen Loan, was born in the spring of 1979 and spread quickly in life in the early years after the reunification. Nearly half a century later, the song still resonates, becoming one of the most beloved songs about spring in the treasure of Vietnamese music.

After moments of family reunion and New Year greetings to grandparents and parents, many local residents and visitors have chosen Hue Imperial Citadel as their destination for early spring outings, immersing themselves in a Tet atmosphere rich in cultural depth.

On the morning of February 5, at the Secret Affairs Institute - Tam Toa Complex (No. 33 Tong Duy Tan Street, Phu Xuan Ward), Hue Monuments Conservation Center officially opened a thematic exhibition titled “Horses and the Long Ma in Nguyen Dynasty Royal Culture” (Long Ma: dragon-horse), offering the public a culturally rich and profound exhibition space in the early days of Lunar New Year.

From late January to early February 2026, Hue City Art Troupe brings Hue Royal Court Music (Nha nhac) and other distinctive cultural values of the Ancient Capital to perform and promote in Sydney, Darwin, and Canberra (Australia).

According to the leaders of Phong Quang, Phong Phu wards… in the early days of 2026, fishermen along the former Ngu Dien nearshore coastal area have continuously landed bumper early-season herring catches, generating substantial income after short fishing trips. As of January 21st, the total early-season herring output in the former Ngu Dien area is estimated at dozens of tons.

During his visit to Hue in early November 2025, General Secretary To Lam conveyed a message to the city’s Party Committee, authorities, and people: Hue must preserve its cultural identity and the distinctive character of Hue people amid a new phase of development. That reminder was not merely an expectation, but a guiding orientation for the entire term.

From early 2026, in addition to maintaining current ticket prices, Hue City will significantly expand the groups eligible for free and discounted entrance fees to heritage sites within the Hue Complex of Monuments. The move aims to facilitate access to heritage for residents and students, and to promote sustainable tourism demand.

In the early mornings, the southern part of Hue City begins with a familiar rhythm: the sound of runners’ footsteps along the coastal road, the crisp tap of shuttlecocks in a commune’s small badminton court, and the cheerful laughter of people practicing wellness fitness exercises. This sporting atmosphere has become an integral part of daily life, helping residents improve their health, strengthen community bonds, and nurture an optimistic spirit.

One early morning, when opening the door, and you feel a cold breath rush across your face, that is when Hue starts entering winter. Before winter set in, the city endured consecutive, devastating floods; and, in that cold air, there still lingers the smell of fresh mud and the traces of things not yet put back in order.