The year 2026 opens the 2026–2030 period, marked by increasingly fierce competition to attract resources, talent, and visitors, while Hue cannot pursue rapid urbanization or heavy industry. Hue’s path must be its own: taking heritage, culture, landscape, and ways of life as deep, distinctive, and sustainable advantages; taking creativity and experience as driving forces; and placing the people of Hue at the center of all development policies.

According to initial statistics released by the Department of Tourism, during the 2026 New Year holiday, Hue was estimated to welcome around 85,000 visitors, representing an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year. The number of staying guests reached approximately 45,000 arrivals, up more than 15% year on year.

During his visit to Hue in early November 2025, General Secretary To Lam conveyed a message to the city’s Party Committee, authorities, and people: Hue must preserve its cultural identity and the distinctive character of Hue people amid a new phase of development. That reminder was not merely an expectation, but a guiding orientation for the entire term.

From early 2026, in addition to maintaining current ticket prices, Hue City will significantly expand the groups eligible for free and discounted entrance fees to heritage sites within the Hue Complex of Monuments. The move aims to facilitate access to heritage for residents and students, and to promote sustainable tourism demand.

Hue’s heritage is undergoing a powerful “rebirth”, as technology unlocks new layers of value and reshapes the way visitors experience its cultural legacy.

On the morning of January 1st, in the warm sunshine on the first morning of the new year, the area around Ngo Mon Gate of Hue Imperial Citadel became lively as the Nguyen Dynasty Ban Soc ceremony was reenacted in a theatricalized format, officially opening Hue Festival 2026. The event also marked the first festival of the year, attracting a large number of local residents and visitors.

On the first day of 2026, sunny weather set a serene and poetic tone in Hue. Both visitors and residents took time to savor the city’s unhurried, gentle pace. Beyond its famed heritage sites, spiritual and cultural spaces, parks, and public recreation areas were bustling with visitors.

Thousands of visitors and residents of Hue came together to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome the New Year 2026 in exquisite weather, heaven and earth in harmony, clear skies with a slight winter chill. The Countdown program welcoming 2026, held at Hue City Cultural and Sports Square (Vy Da Ward), was regarded as the highlight of this meaningful moment, a venue where a grand musical feast and joyful reunions converged.

On the afternoon of December 25, Hue City Department of Health held a conference to review the pilot model for “Food safety market in food and beverage services business” at Tay Loc Market. This is one of the city's key traditional markets, serving not only as a food source for locals, but also as a popular destination for tourists visiting and experiencing Hue's culinary culture.

On the morning of December 23, the exhibition “OMOCHA: The World of Modern Japanese Toys” was introduced to the public at AEON Mall Hue, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the evolution of Japanese toys from tradition to modernity through the lens of culture and creativity.