The culture and way of life in the highlands possess a unique charm. This appeal comes not only from the distinct customs, cuisine, and lifestyle, but also from the unique stories of the mountains and forests preserved by ethnic minority communities, as well as their cultural identities passed down through generations.

By preserving Co Tu cultural traditions in everyday life and integrating indigenous values into visitor experiences, residents of Doi Village have carved out a distinctive path for community-based tourism in the western area of Hue City. The village is gradually emerging as a favorite destination for travelers seeking community-based tourism activities in Khe Tre highland area.

Beyond a mode of transportation, the heritage train has evolved into a space where travelers can not only admire the scenery but also experience the region’s historical and cultural richness. Through the Hue - Danang journey, rail tourism is carving out a new path, where each trip does more than connect destinations; it creates experiences that leave lasting emotional impressions.

For a long time, tourism in Hue has largely relied on cultural and heritage assets, resulting in short visitor stays, relatively low spending levels, and limited value creation. As tourism trends shift strongly toward resort-based, experiential, and sports-oriented travel, developing marine tourism, especially coastal resort tourism, is not only a new direction but also a necessity for restructuring the visitor market toward higher-spending segments.

Hue’s elevation to a centrally-governed municipality from early 2025 has taken place in a special context: the country is undergoing a major administrative restructuring, reducing the number of provinces and cities from 63 to 34. While 52 other localities are expanding through mergers, Hue has chosen a different path - no consolidation, no expansion by aggregation, but an upgrade built on its existing identity and structural foundation.

On a pure morning, I bumped into groups of visitors strolling along the path leading into Hue Imperial Citadel. Cradling her camera in both hands, Ms. Marie, a French tourist, asked the guide in a gentle voice: “May I… try on Vietnam’s traditional costume?”. That question seemed to open an unexpected journey for them, an experience that felt as if they could touch the ancient soul of Hue

In East Asian culture, horses are not merely a means of transport but a cultural symbol. In Hue during the Nguyen Dynasty, the presence of horses accompanied ceremonial processions and imperial carriages. Even today, that image endures on two bronze urns of the Nine Dynastic Urns - Huyen Dinh and Anh Dinh (the alias of Tu Duc) - like a layer of resilient metallic memory, reminding us that horses once played a role in the life of the former imperial capital.

From areca sheaths once regarded as agricultural waste, Truong Van Toi (born 2000, Hue City) has built a model to produce bowls and plates from areca sheaths, aiming to reduce plastic waste, create livelihoods for local people, and open up an environmentally friendly consumption pathway.

Amid the rhythm of life in Hue, Ca Dao Dance Troupe stands as one of the few collectives that have steadfastly pursued a professional path in dance, contributing to the enrichment of Hue Imperial Citadel’s contemporary artistic life. Leading the Ca Dao Dance Troupe for over 11 years is Ms. Dang Nu Hoang Quyen (born in 1980), a choreographer who also serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Theory at the University of Sciences, Hue University.

On the afternoon of January 5th, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung, Member of Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party conducted inspections and on-site surveys of several key transport projects in the city, including the proposed site for projects of the bridge crossing Con Hen (Mussel Islet) and its approach roads at both ends, of Nguyen Hoang Road, and of Ring Road 3.