Growing up from the fields, steeped in rustic flavors of the countryside - “salty fermented vegetables, sour white eggplant”, yet it was not until my late forties that I first heard of mut ca phao (white eggplant preserves) from Hue. The humble eggplant, so familiar on simple family meals, appears here in an entirely unfamiliar form - a delicately beautiful preserves for the Lunar New Year.

In Hue, comic books are not just a childhood pastime; they have gradually taken shape as a distinct cultural feature, preserved by a quiet yet steadfast community of comic lovers.

Culture and sports not only shape the identity, but also serve as the soul of development. The responsibility of officials working in the cultural and sports sector is not only to preserve what exists, but also to innovate and spread those values.

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.

A brand is not merely to introduce the name or to prove the origin of a product, but an “identity card” that affirms its credibility and quality to customers. Especially in the context of fierce competition, developing Hue brands is not only an economic challenge but also a way to preserve, honor, and spread the unique values of the former imperial capital.

At the Central Coastal Region Museum of Nature in Hue, the work of preparation and conservation is not merely a technical discipline but also a mission to preserve nature’s memory.

Hue Monuments of Conservation Center is gradually building up a huge heritage archive, which is known as a foundation for a model of smart heritage management, which not only preserves but also creates new values for the work of cultural - economic development.

Born in Hue - a place where traditional crafts are deeply intertwined with spiritual life, Tran Phuoc Hoang (28 years old) chose to dedicate himself to the craft of carving ancestral tablets. After nearly 10 years in the craft, he has quietly preserved traditional values through every product meticulously created with his passion.

Going through many generations, the traditional drum-making craft of the Co Tu people has gradually faded, remaining only in the memories of a few elders. In Doi Village, Khe Tre Commune, artisan and village elder Vuong Van Cua is one of the last people still preserving the ancient secrets of making traditional Co Tu drums.

Amid the majestic Truong Son Mountain, the Pa Co people continue to preserve a sacred festival, where the sound of gongs and drums blends with the flickering red flames. A Rieu Piing is a time to honor ancestors, a communal celebration that illuminates the unique cultural values of the Pa Co community.

The center is divided into several spaces. The most notable among them is the space for storing Buddhist woodblocks. Arranged in a scientific and meticulous manner, this space currently holds over 800 blocks and 1,300 inscribed texts, featuring a diverse range of texts such as sutras, vinayas, treatises, commentaries, initiation verses, monastic regulations, and ancient graphic illustrations, which are extremely precious and rare.