After more than half a century with only foundations and traces remaining, the Thoai Thanh Temple area within the Emperor Gia Long Mausoleum relic complex now has the chance to be reconstructed.

Every land has memories of its own. Some memories are preserved in history books, stone steles, communal houses, pagodas, and temples. Others, however, remain in the most ordinary forms - in the name of a village, a small hamlet, a riverside wharf, or a field.

For over twenty years, artist Tran Huu Nhat has quietly traveled through rivers, temples, the citadel in Hue in his journey of recreating sketches of Than Kinh Nhi Thap Canh _ the twenty beautiful landscapes of Hue mentioned in historical records of the Nguyen Dynasty.

A large number of locals and visitors attending Hue Nam Temple Festival (Hon Chen Temple) joined the road procession, traveling from Thien Tien Thanh Giao Holy Place (352 Chi Lang Street) to Thuong Bac Park along the Huong River (Tran Hung Dao Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

The Huyen Tran Temple Festival, held on Ngu Phong Mountain in early spring, reminds later generations of the great contributions of Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong and Princess Huyen Tran - historical figures who played a vital role in the work of expanding the border of Dai Viet toward the South.

According to Hue City Department of Culture and Sports, Huyen Tran Temple Festival for the Spring of Binh Ngo 2026, themed “Honoring the Ancestors - Sacred Imprints of Territorial Expansion”, will be held on the 8th and 9th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (corresponding to February 24-25, 2026) at Huyen Tran Cultural Center (151 Thien Thai Street, An Cuu Ward, Hue City).

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.

From August 30 to September 1, 2025 (the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of the Lunar July), tourists and local people will enjoy free entrance to Hue Nam relic (Hon Chen Temple) during Hue Nam Temple Festival.

Alongside preservation of palaces and temples, the heritage conservation efforts in the Ancient Capital also include the care, restoration, and propagation of trees, protecting ancient and precious species within relic sites, helping maintain the harmonious beauty of architecture and nature - a hallmark of Hue’s heritage space.

A friend of mine just came from the Southeastern region to visit Hue. After a day visiting various destinations, from the Imperial Citadel to the tombs of Emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang, then heading to the Van Thanh - Vo Thanh temples and Thien Mu Pagoda, my friend warmly remarked: “In Hue, wherever you go, you can see the Huong River. Now I understand why people here are so gentle and friendly. In this scene, by this river, it’s hard even to get upset!”.