Ask the people of Hue what flower they love most, and most will likely answer: the apricot blossom. To put it more formally, “hoang mai” - yellow apricot, without a doubt. Don’t believe it? Come to Hue and see for yourself! There’s a whole movement called “Yellow apricot blossom in front of the entrance”; a completed research project on “Conservation and development of Hue’s yellow apricot variety (Hue’s Hoang mai)”; a scientific conference on developing Hue’s Hoang mai into a key local product, aimed at successfully realizing the project to build Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) into Vietnam’s yellow apricot homeland. My friend, journalist Minh Tu, even published a book called “In front of the house stands a yellow apricot tree”, which sold out instantly, was reprinted, and translated into foreign languages to great acclaim.

Along the coastal regions of Central Vietnam, especially in the city of Hue, seahorses are not only a supplementary source of income for many fishermen but also an indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem. As seahorse populations continue to decline, reproductive research models and collaborations between fishermen and scientific institutions are opening up new hope: preserving this unique species for future generations.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is an endemic medicinal plant species with exceptional medical and economic value. However, the natural distribution area of this ginseng species is currently minimal, while the demand for conservation, development, and sustainable exploitation continues to grow. Research into transplanting Ngoc Linh ginseng to ecologically similar regions, such as Hue, is not only a scientific necessity but also opens opportunities to expand the conservation space and develop this precious medicinal plant.

In 2025, Ho Chi Minh Museum collected and received 35 artifacts, contributing to enriching the source of documents and artifacts serving exhibition activities, scientific research, and long-term preservation. In addition, the unit digitized more than 1.000 documents and artifacts.

Surpassing thousands of projects, a group of students from Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, won the Encouragement Award at the “27th National Euréka Student Scientific Research Award 2025” with the project “Research and fabrication of carbon quantum dots from rice husks in the field of agricultural science.”

This belief was shared by Mr. Ho Dac Thai Hoang, Chairman of the City Union of Science and Technology Associations, in a conversation with a Hue Today Weekly correspondent about scientific research and innovation, which is seen as the foundation for promoting the city’s science, technology, and socioeconomic development.

In the context of increasingly deep integration of higher education, international cooperation has become one of the key strategies to enhance the quality of training, research, and academic reputation. Hue University has been affirming its role as a major training and scientific research center in the Central - Central Highlands region, and the whole country, through significant advancements in international cooperation.

On the afternoon of July 23rd , the Department of Science and Technology held a conference to evaluate the results of a non-state budget funded science and technology project titled: “Researching, expanding, developing, and harnessing the medicinal value of Abelmoschus Sagittifolius (Bo Chinh Ginseng), a valuable Vietnamese medicinal herb, to create a health-oriented material-products-gift set linked with scientific and cultural research in Hue City”, led by SBC Hoang Gia Co., Ltd.

With the belief that scientific research must be practical and embraced by the people, each project led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Bich Phuong is a product closely tied to farmers and businesses. Many of her scientific topics and projects that benefits the people have brought her prestigious awards.

In Thua Thien Hue province, many scientific works conducted by researchers are not measured solely in monetary terms. The value they bring reflects a wealth of intellect which has been amplified, contributing to the society beyond the boundaries of the region.