The heritage space of Hue’s Imperial Citadel is being retold in a new language, the language of technology. At the Royal Treasury Palace, stories of the past are no longer meant solely to be observed, but also to be touched, listened, and experienced, opening up a gentle, emotionally resonant way of engaging with the heritage of Hue Ancient Capital.

I did not grow up in a family devoted solely to farming, yet my childhood held a clear and gentle chapter shaped by the cycles of rain and sun in my grandparents’ fields. Those years, and the memories they carry, have left a lasting mark, so that even now, I am stirred by an inexpressible emotion whenever I see farmers busily preparing for a new sowing season.

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.

Mr. Van Dinh Huy, who was born in 1983, is currently working at Phu Bai Ward Police office. Even younger than Dinh Huy, Mr. Do Minh Dien, who was born in 1990, is currently an officer in the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City. What they have in common is a strong passion for books, and up to now, each of them has built his own personal book collection. They are truly the “young gentlemen” who collect books in Hue.

Besides the ancient heritage architectural works with splendid beauty, future architects also depicted a truthful yet incredibly gentle portrayal when sketching modern constructions of Hue City on its development.

Beneath the bright red national flag proudly flying over the skies of Truong Sa (Spratly Islands), we silently call out the names of the heroic martyrs who gave their lives to defend the sacred seas and islands of our homeland, hearing their echoes within the gentle murmur of waves welcoming a new, peaceful day.

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!”.

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.

"Having visited dreamy Hue a few times, I cherish a gentle love for it"(*) – these familiar lyrics resonate deeply with me. My first visit to Hue was as a university student, and over the years, I have returned many times.

The spring afternoon sunshine on Vong Canh Hill convers the landscape with a golden glow, filtering through the whispering pine canopies and stretching silent shadows across the ground. A gentle breeze drifts by, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees along with the mild and damp scent of the winding Perfume River below.