‘Applied Fine Arts and Heritage: From Traditional Values to Contemporary Designs’ was the theme of an international scientific conference held on the morning of October 29 at the University of Arts, Hue University. The University of Arts and Udon Thani Rajabhat University of Thailand jointly organized this conference.

Inspired by a love for traditional culture, young designers in Hue are finding ways to bring heritage values into clothing through their own creative languages.

With a new approach that shifts from ''preserving and exploiting individual monuments'' to ''connecting and leveraging the entire heritage system,'' the Project titled ''Leveraging the Value of President Ho Chi Minh Relics in Hue City for Tourism Development (2026 - 2030)'' (hereinafter referred to as the Project) also aims to address uneven heritage promotion and the lack of system-wide connectivity among historic sites.

Behind the graceful and fluid movements on stage lie years of rigorous training, injuries, and quiet sacrifices. For Hue dancers, the challenge also lies in embracing contemporary influences while preserving the elegance, solemnity, and refinement that characterize the former imperial capital.

On the afternoon of July 20, Hue City Folk Arts Association held a scientific seminar to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Hue Folk Arts (1991-2026).

Preserving traditional crafts is about more than keeping a craft alive; it is about preserving the stories of people, culture, and values passed down through generations. By embracing fresh approaches, those who continue telling these stories are helping traditional craft villages become more relevant to contemporary life while preserving their authentic character.

The artwork “Whispers” by Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, a student from the University of Arts, Hue University, has recently been honored as an outstanding work at the 8th “Hue Young Fine Arts Award” 2026.

From her journey to revive the craft of making dó (poonah) paper in the raw material area in the North, Ms. Tran Hong Nhung, the founder of Zó Project, has brought the story of dó paper and beeswax to Hue through hands-on experiences. Here, the craftsmanship techniques of the Dao Tien people are introduced and tested for integration into contemporary life.

Amid the rhythm of life in Hue, Ca Dao Dance Troupe stands as one of the few collectives that have steadfastly pursued a professional path in dance, contributing to the enrichment of Hue Imperial Citadel’s contemporary artistic life. Leading the Ca Dao Dance Troupe for over 11 years is Ms. Dang Nu Hoang Quyen (born in 1980), a choreographer who also serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Theory at the University of Sciences, Hue University.

Business intertwined with the promotion of Hue's traditional culture is a path that more and more young people are pursuing, asserting the creativity, identity, and spirit of self-reliance. Rather than chasing mass-market trends, “recalling the past to understand the future” has become the business philosophy for a segment of the younger generation, bringing cultural heritage into contemporary life naturally.

The exhibition “Fine Arts & Heritage” with the theme “The image of the Four Holy Beasts in Visual Arts” is taking place at Kien Trung Palace - Hue Imperial Citadel.