On a Sunday morning at the foot of Hon Vuon Mountain, groups of runners busily laced up their trail shoes, adjusted their trekking poles and hydration vests before setting off along steep, rocky paths still glistening with morning dew. Instead of pounding the familiar flat streets, they head into the mountains and forests to challenge themselves. Trail running is rapidly gaining popularity in Hue, attracting a growing number of enthusiasts, from young adults to runners well into their 60s.

Developing Hue-tuong in association with unlocking tourism potential offers a promising path to safeguarding one of Vietnam’s most distinctive intangible cultural heritage traditions while contributing to the growth of the local tourism economy.

The People's Committee of Hue City has issued Plan No. 318/KH-UBND to implement the Action Program for carrying out the Politburo's Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture in the new era. More than a timely move to translate a major central policy into concrete action, the plan marks an important milestone, demonstrating that Hue is choosing the right path for its development in the years ahead.

When the Pa Co language finds its voice on digital platforms, and when history is recreated through virtual reality technology, the traditional cultural values of A Luoi are also discovering new pathways for preservation and sustainable dissemination in the digital age. Remarkably, this initiative is the result of a scientific innovation project developed by a group of students from this mountainous region.

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