Having traveled through many of the world’s leading technology hubs, Albert Antoine still retains his Hue accent and a deep-seated concern for his homeland. Returning from the world of data and artificial intelligence (AI), he brings with him a different perspective on how his hometown needs to move faster, deeper, and more sustainably.

That is the early morning market of My Loi village, Vinh Loc commune. Before becoming part of today's Vinh Loc commune, My Loi belonged to Vinh My commune - a coastal plain, with the sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. It is indeed known as the only place in Hue where the locals have an accent similar to Quang region.

In Da Lay commune (Da Teh district, Lam Dong province), the new homeland of the people from Hue today, it is hard to recognize the traces of the hardships from nearly half a century ago. The most recognizable feature in this rural area that carries "Hue far away" is the distinctive Hue accent, the conical hats of the elderly women glistening as they shield their kind smiles, and the lively mornings with loc and nam cakes. We arrived at the Da Lay market in the Central Highlands and felt as if we were back in Hue, enjoying street food and chatting at a corner of Dong Ba or An Cuu markets…

Loving the gentle but profound accent of people in the ancient capital, a group of students from Hue University International School carry out an audiobook project read entirely in Hue accent. “Voice of Ancient Capital” is the gift that these young people want to present to local blind children as well as those all over the country.