For over twenty years, artist Tran Huu Nhat has quietly traveled through rivers, temples, the citadel in Hue in his journey of recreating sketches of Than Kinh Nhi Thap Canh _ the twenty beautiful landscapes of Hue mentioned in historical records of the Nguyen Dynasty.

From mega music festivals attracting thousands of young audiences to community arts programs spreading across social media, Hue is revealing a new face as a heritage city.

On the evening of June 19, at Tinh Tam Lake, the Department of Tourism hosted “Thuc Thuy Show,” an art and culinary performance that serves as one of the highlights of the 2026 Hue Lotus Festival, taking place from June 19 to 21.

On the evening of June 15, as part of Hue International Music Week 2026, the stage by the Perfume River, in front of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School, continued to draw a large audience with performances by Ojos band (France), Kawanishi Natsuki (Japanese singer), as well as Vietnamese singer My Anh, and artist Matthew Ifield (Australia).

On the afternoon of June 14th, the Hue’s ‘Heritage Doors’ exhibition opened at Kien Trung Palace in Hue Imperial Citadel, introducing the public to dozens of remarkable artworks inspired by the heritage of the Ancient Capital. The event is part of Hue Festival 2026 and serves as a major artistic highlight attracting art enthusiasts, visitors, and members of the creative community.

On the evening of June 14, thousands of audiences filled the riverside stage area along the Perfume River to relive the timeless songs of the late musician Trinh Cong Son during the special artistic program “25 Years of Remembering Trinh Cong Son”, held under the theme “Hue - Saigon - Hanoi”.

Against the backdrop of the Perfume River, the elegant melodies of Hue Royal Court Music intertwined with the youthful rhythms of J-pop performed by Japanese singer Kawanishi Natsuki, along with a series of impressive artistic performances from South Korea, set the stage for a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony of Hue International Music Week 2026 on the evening of June 13.

Painter Mai Chau and the late painter Than Van Huy are two prominent figures in Hue's fine arts scene, leaving behind a legacy of works deeply imbued with Zen philosophy and a profound love for their homeland, Buddhism, and humanity. Their paintings possess a compelling depth, prompting viewers to slow down, reflect, and find a sense of serenity amidst life.

Thanks to the application of artificial intelligence (AI), many of Hue’s heritage values are being retold by young people in an entirely new “language”. Historic structures and symbolic cultural icons, long associated with an atmosphere of antiquity and quiet elegance, are now being brought to life through digital creations, contributing to taking Hue Ancient Capital’s image closer to young audiences.

On the morning of June 5th, at Duyet Thi Duong Theater in Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized an experimental performance program titled “Practicing Huế music notation and the interpretation method,” drawing the attention of researchers, artisans, and lovers of traditional music.