Going through many generations, the traditional drum-making craft of the Co Tu people has gradually faded, remaining only in the memories of a few elders. In Doi Village, Khe Tre Commune, artisan and village elder Vuong Van Cua is one of the last people still preserving the ancient secrets of making traditional Co Tu drums.

The traditional melodies of Vietnam and Western classical pieces in the choral concert “Qua cau gio bay” offered the audience an evening filled with deep emotions.

Although familiar to collectors and enthusiasts of antiques, visitors still cannot help but feel overwhelmed when standing before the artifacts displayed at the exhibition “Jade and Ivory in Religious Art” at the Museum of Nguyen Dynasty Porcelains (114 Mai Thuc Loan Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

The establishment and development of Hue Union of Literature and Arts Associations - abbreviated as the “Union” (originating from Thua Thien National Salvation Cultural Association in 1945), marks an important milestone in Hue’s cultural history. For 80 years, the Union has not only organized and gathered creative forces but has also served as a “pivot” connecting heritage with innovation, tradition with modernity, and artists with the public.

Unique artworks with six-layer cut specimens - a visual metaphor for the heritage reconstruction process - are on display at an exhibition themed “HER-ITAGE - Reconstructing traditional embroidery”, offering viewers a new and interesting experience.

In recent years, along with maintaining its strength in training traditional majors, Hue University has proactively opened many new majors that keep up with social trends and meet the demand for high-quality human resources. This provides students with more choices that suit their personal abilities, and the development direction of the digital economy.

Unable to rely solely on love for the craft or pride in the past, Hue’s craft villages must step beyond traditional pathways toward a new journey: Transforming production thinking, applying technology, embracing green transition, elevating quality, and telling cultural stories in more modern ways.

Alongside promotional activities in several European countries, Hue City’s tourism sector has teamed up with Da Nang to present Central Vietnam tourism in general and that of Hue in particular to the tourism markets of Malaysia and Indonesia. These are considered traditional and promising sources of tourists for Hue.

With the development trends of the new era, many craft villages have fallen into decline, with fragmented production, a lack of capital, and outdated technology. These difficulties are major barriers that cause traditional crafts to lose their place in today's socio-economic life gradually.

For centuries, the land of Hue has been renowned for the skillful hands of its artisans. This region is a place not only preserves the cultural heritage of the imperial court, but also serves as the cradle that maintains and develops hundreds of unique traditional craft villages. However, in the face of global integration trends, Hue’s craft villages are confronting numerous challenges.