Noticeable was the opening of the oil painting exhibition by Hoang Nhu Thuy An at Lieu Quan Buddhist Cultural Center. Hoang Nhu Thuy An is Hoang Nhu Bua’s pseudonym, born in 1948, originally from Cau Hai (Cao Do) in Phu Loc, Hue, but currently living in Da Lat. The special thing is that all those paintings were painted after his stroke culminating in hemiplegia. He has learnt to paint with his left hand since then.

The contributions and legacy of Diem Phung Thi - a sculptor, have left a profound impact on the global sculpting scene. Hue is fortunate that she chose to return and spend the rest of her life here, ultimately donating her artistic legacy to the city. Since then, many artists have come to visit, drawing inspiration and creating their own works as if they engaged in a boundless “conversation”.

Nguyen Van Tam, a young man passionate about bamboo flute, has been spreading his love for this traditional musical instrument right on the bank of the Huong River. His clear flute melodies have left a good impression on visitors.

In 2012, I first visited Chi Linh - Hai Duong and toured Con Son pagoda. Having had the opportunity to visit and worship at many pagodas across Vietnam, Con Son pagoda left a deep impression on me from the very first glance, due to its scenery, its ancient charm, and an unexplainable sense of sacred understanding. Returning in 2025, that feeling remains as intact as the first time. I respectfully share with readers some photos of this ancient pagoda, which is over 700 years old. And if you have the chance, let you visit once to admire and contemplate.

On the 10-acre field of red chiem rice (a traditional red rice grown in brackish lowlands of Hue City, sown by April and harvested by July), each planting season requires 40 to 50 hired laborers, and the harvest stretches over several days. Left untended and unfertilized, the rice grows naturally under the generous sun and rain. Some call it “heaven’s rice” — a variety grown from the grace of Tam Giang’s waters.

The generation of national literary writers born in the Year of the Snake in Hue left a notable mark with many respected authors. Each one brought their own distinctive qualities, enriching and beautifying the literature of the region, making the cultural identity of Hue even stronger. This became even clearer and stronger when Hue became a centrally governed city.

Paintings about Uncle Ho always create deep emotions in viewers’ hearts. And, the artworks displayed at the beginning of the Year of the Snake at Ho Chi Minh Museum of Hue City, located at 7 Le Loi street, Thuan Hoa District, have left such impressions on those who came to appreciate them.

Ancient chrysanthemums, a symbol frequently found in heritage structures, clothing, and jewelry of the Nguyen Dynasty, have left their traces but seem to have disappeared from Hue. Meanwhile, the appreciation for these flowers continues as a quiet passion among some "scholars of Ha Thanh".

"I want each of my works not only to be beautiful but also to tell a story about Co Tu people, their life, their beliefs and their traditional values left behind by their ancestors,” said Pham Van Ve, a 26-year-old man with a passion for portraying his ethnic identity through wood carving.

There are more than two months left until late 2024, but it can be confirmed that Thua Thien Hue's women's wrestling has had a brilliant year of success with the top position in many leading national tournaments.