In 2005, I was fortunate to meet Dang Van Viet, a revered elder, in Hue, where he had come from Hanoi to join the 60th anniversary of the Frontline Youth School. There, I learned that he was the one who, together with a comrade, raised the red flag with the yellow star over the Phu Van Lau (Phu Van Pavilion) flagpole on August 21, 1945-when the August Revolution had yet to break out, Japanese forces were still armed, and the Nguyen dynasty still stood in the imperial capital of Hue.

On a summer day at the end of July 2025, a modest living room in an apartment in a building in Vy Da Ward was filled with laughter and chatter from a group of visitors. That very room is also where Distinguished Artisan Nguyen Dang Hoang - known by the stage name “Hoang Dieu” (Hoang Kite), has, for many years, both crafted his famous kites and welcomed visitors eager to visit, learn, and experience kite-making.

Stumbled upon the technique of indigo dyeing online by chance, like a twist of fate, a young couple, Dang Cong Bang (1996) and Pham Minh Nguyen (1997), were captivated by this age-old craft. They began exploring and experimenting, eventually creating their very first indigo-dyed pieces. This marked the beginning of Tiem Chi, a small studio the couple established with the hope of introducing others to handmade clothing and fashion items that they personally design and dye using the distinctive blue of indigo.

On the morning of July 26th, in commemoration of the 78th Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27th, 1947 - July 27th, 2025), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered incense in remembrance of General Nguyen Chi Thanh at the General Nguyen Chi Thanh Museum (144 Dang Thai Than Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

More than 100 works by 41 renowned artists inspired by the literary legacy of Nguyen Huy Thiep were unveiled to the Hue public on the afternoon of July 5th at the Lan Vien Co Tich space (95-96-98 Bach Dang Street, Phu Xuan Ward).

On September 18th, the People's Committee of Vinh Xuan Commune (Phu Vang District) held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Vietnam heritage trees. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment; Professor, Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, and Chairman of the Heritage Tree Council attended the ceremony.

At the invitation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan to attend the International Gold Embroidery and Jewelry Festival, taking place from May 3 - 5 in Bukhara City, Ms. Nguyen Thi Doan Trang, artisan, designer, and Director of Doan Trang Embroidery and Sewing Trading and Service Co., Ltd. (at 2/56 Bach Dang Street, Gia Hoi Ward, Hue City), was honored to be the Vietnamese representative winning the third prize.

On the morning of April 4th, speaker Nguyen Trung Dan, Associate Professor at the University of Arizona, USA, held a talk show, sharing insights with lecturers, students, and high school students of the University of Sciences, Hue University on the topic of “Semiconductor Chips - The core of the technological era.”

Not only well known in the “kite map” as a kite maker whose giant kites have flown in many parts of the world, Nguyen Dang Hoang is also considered a unique kite flier as he has made countless original kites, creating his own brand name “Hoang’s Kite.” Among them, his dragon kite, a symbol of power,_ made with Hoang’s skillful hands then hovered in the sky at shows and international festivals made many people admire.

Inspired by patterns on Nine Dynastic Urns of the Nguyen Dynasty, which located in Hue Imperial Citadel, nearly 60 wood engraving artworks have been curated and introduced to the public on the morning of March 19th at Le Ba Dang Art Center (Hue Museum of Fine Arts, 15 Le Loi Street, Hue City).