The opening ceremony of the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 took place at noon on April 17 at Phu Van Lau.

A brand is not merely to introduce the name or to prove the origin of a product, but an “identity card” that affirms its credibility and quality to customers. Especially in the context of fierce competition, developing Hue brands is not only an economic challenge but also a way to preserve, honor, and spread the unique values of the former imperial capital.

In the context of the increasingly extensive development of Vietnam-Japan relations, local cooperation has become an important driving force that fosters strong and lasting ties between the two countries. For Hue - Vietnam’s unique heritage city - Japan is not only a partner in economy, trade, and tourism, but also a special companion in the journey of cultural exchange, people-to-people engagement, and sustainable development rooted in heritage values.

As part of the 5th Regional Conference of Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) - Asia-Pacific Region, the discussion session on the afternoon of October 15th became one of the most notable highlights of the event. The exchange focused on policies, management experience, and solutions to improve quality of life in cities endowed with unique heritage values.

Amid the majestic Truong Son Mountain, the Pa Co people continue to preserve a sacred festival, where the sound of gongs and drums blends with the flickering red flames. A Rieu Piing is a time to honor ancestors, a communal celebration that illuminates the unique cultural values of the Pa Co community.

Hue culture with its typical characteristics of the land is portrayed through many unique cultural values such as cuisine, clothing, garden house architecture, education, music, theater, language, and poetry. These values have become great potential for Hue to become an important tourist center of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Culinary culture not simply is about food but also contains stories about the vibrant life of indigenous people. In the vast Truong Son mountains, the dishes of Ta Oi, Pa Co, Co Tu ethnic groups are rich with the flavors of the forest from available natural ingredients, combined with age-old secrets, creating unique values found nowhere else.

The husband-and-wife duo of Distinguished Artisans Ta Dur Tu and Areel Doi, residents of A Luoi District, have dedicated their lives to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values of ethnic minority communities. Over 40 years of tireless collection, research, and teaching have made them guiding lights in safeguarding traditional cultural identities for future generations.

With unique and significant values in terms of form and informational content, "The Engravings on the Nine Dynastic Urns of Hue Imperial Citadel" was recognized by UNESCO as a Documentary Heritage in the Asia-Pacific region's Memory of the World Program on May 8th. This marks Hue's fourth UNESCO-listed documentary heritage.

With the theme "Cultural heritage with integration and development", Hue Festival 2024 will include consecutive activities taking place throughout the year. The event aims to honor and promote the unique values of Vietnamese culture in general and Hue culture in particular.