When people think of Hue, many envision a serene land “steeped” in Buddhism with hundreds of temples and pagodas. Amid the bustling rhythm of a modern Hue, life behind each pagoda gate is far from dull, but it is a refined embodiment of spiritual beauty that deeply enriches the inner world of many residents of the Ancient Capital. Here, every scene, every space, every presence expressed a quiet, profound stillness, like a sutra in motion.

On July 30th, Hue City Department of Culture and Sports announced that Hue City People’s Committee has issued an official document approving the continuing of archaeological excavation of the remaining area approximately 200 square meters at Lieu Coc Twin Towers site (Kim Tra Ward, Hue City). The goal is to gain a comprehensive and complete understanding of the Lieu Coc temple-tower complex.

On the morning of March 30th, a ceremony was held at Nghinh Luong Dinh Pavilion, situated on the bank of the poetic Perfume River (Phu Xuan Ward), to officially receive Hue Nam Temple Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In the years from 1930 to 1937, painter Mai Trung Thu was appointed to teach drawing at Quoc Hoc High School. Here, his talent blossomed. Series of his paintings were born, depicting gentle Hue girls, the charming scenery of the Huong river and the temples and royal mausoleums. His paintings in Hue rendered him a solid position in modern Vietnamese painting.

A great number of tourists and locals flocked into the Huyen Tran Temple Festival held on At Ty new year’s days. This was an event held by the Department of Culture and Sports, opening on the morning of the lunar January 9th (February 6) at Huyen Tran Cultural Center, located at the foot of Ngu Phong Mountain (An Tay Ward, Thuan Hoa District).

On December 11, representatives of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports informed that the Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced the decision to include the Hue Nam Temple Festival (Huong Tho Commune, Hue City) and Van Cu noodle-making craft (Huong Toan Commune, Huong Tra Town) in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“Coloring heritage” and “Hue Art Memory Game” featuring traditional Vietnamese motifs from the Nguyen Dynasty are part of the “Heritage education” program for 2024, jointly organized by Hue Monuments Conservation Center and GEKE (German society for the Preservation of cultural heritage). The program is held at Phung Tien Temple in Hue Imperial Citadel and is entirely free for children.

Thuy Xuan hill area, Hue city is famous for ancient pagodas such as Tu Hieu, Dong Thuyen, Bao Lam, Chau Lam, Dieu Nghiem, etc. Being lost in the clouds and wind with many rows of pine trees rustling on these hillsides in the early morning or at dusk, and listening to the sound of temple bells ringing in the wind and the steady sound of wooden bell echoing from the pagodas make my heart strangely calm and peaceful.

The Hue Nam Temple (Hon Chen Temple) Festival has officially begun on August 11th at the Thien Tien Holy Place (352 Chi Lang Street, Hue City).

With advantages in scenery, cultural heritage, and the ancient, tranquil beauty of temples, palaces, relics, and architecture, Hue is becoming a destination of choice for filmmakers. This also presents an opportunity for cinema to expand Hue's tourism reach.