On the morning of April 18, the Kun Marathon Hue 2026 officially kicked off at Ngo Mon Square, attracting more than 2,500 young runners from various provinces and cities across the country. Kun Marathon Hue 2026 was held in response to the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 (scheduled for April 19). In addition to the familiar 700-meter run combined with obstacle challenges set within Hue’s heritage space, this year’s event carried the message “Protect All Species” and incorporated a series of educational and experiential environmental activities.

Ask the people of Hue what flower they love most, and most will likely answer: the apricot blossom. To put it more formally, “hoang mai” - yellow apricot, without a doubt. Don’t believe it? Come to Hue and see for yourself! There’s a whole movement called “Yellow apricot blossom in front of the entrance”; a completed research project on “Conservation and development of Hue’s yellow apricot variety (Hue’s Hoang mai)”; a scientific conference on developing Hue’s Hoang mai into a key local product, aimed at successfully realizing the project to build Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) into Vietnam’s yellow apricot homeland. My friend, journalist Minh Tu, even published a book called “In front of the house stands a yellow apricot tree”, which sold out instantly, was reprinted, and translated into foreign languages to great acclaim.

Mossy temples, royal mausoleums, ancient pagodas and the beautiful scenery granted to the former capital city all together form an “urban poem.” And that beauty of Hue is even more gorgeous through eyes of talented painters.

The atmosphere at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, has become even more vibrant with the victory of the student team participating in the 2025 International Medical Biochemistry Competition.

On October 21 in Hue City, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) organized a workshop titled “Guidelines and Implementation Roadmap for the ASEAN Eco-School Criteria – Towards Plastic-Free Schools” as part of the ASEAN Eco-School Awards Vietnam 2025. The event attracted over 100 in-person delegates and more than 1,000 virtual participants.

After three days of active and effective working, the 5th Organization of World Heritage Cities Asia-Pacific (OWHC-AP) Regional Conference officially concluded on October 16. The event brought together more than 50 delegates from 7 countries, including mayors, experts, and representatives of member cities in the region.

On September 26th - 27th, the 2025 National Scientific Conference on Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (A&R) took place in Hue City, co-organized by Vietnam Society of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Hue City Department of Health, Hue Central Hospital, and the Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The event brought together more than 1.000 doctors, specialists, scientists, postgraduate students from Vietnam and abroad, along with representatives of healthcare enterprises.

In 2020, when male officials and civil servants of the Department of Culture and Sports wore ao dai during working days and the weekly flag-raising ceremony, it immediately sparked controversy online. Then, it was not just the cultural sector, at important events, the provincial leaders (now Hue City) and intellectuals also began wearing ao dai. The appearance of the traditional ao dai for both men and women at cultural and educational events made the ceremonies more solemn, elegant, and impressive.

When France concentrated troops at the Thuan An estuary (in August 1883), it was also a time when the Nguyen Dynasty was on the decline. More than 140 years after the fall of Thuan An, there are still relics, figures, and events that remind future generations of the patriotism and fighting spirit of the ancestors.

After more than four years of planning, preparation, and dedicated passion, Hue Culinary Association was officially launched on the evening of May 28. The initiative aims to build and elevate the culinary culture of Hue City, living up to its reputation as the “Culinary Capital of Vietnam.”