On a Sunday morning at the foot of Hon Vuon Mountain, groups of runners busily laced up their trail shoes, adjusted their trekking poles and hydration vests before setting off along steep, rocky paths still glistening with morning dew. Instead of pounding the familiar flat streets, they head into the mountains and forests to challenge themselves. Trail running is rapidly gaining popularity in Hue, attracting a growing number of enthusiasts, from young adults to runners well into their 60s.

Visitors at the Hue Singing Performance Space on Le Loi Street in Hue recently enjoyed an unexpected musical experience as the powerful rhythms of the West African Djembe blended with the familiar melodies of Hue Singing. Bringing this distinctive sound to the former imperial city was Michael Schmidt Kanté, a French musician who has spent years traveling across continents to study and perform traditional music.

Along the length of Vietnam’s S-shaped land, the lotus is deeply familiar to every Vietnamese. In Hue, the lotus is not only an economically valuable agricultural crop but also one of the defining cultural symbols of the land.

More than just a place serving authentic dishes from the Ancient Capital, Hue Thuong restaurant in the heart of Osaka, Japan, has become a familiar gathering place for Hue natives living far from home. Through every delicately prepared dish, the restaurant preserves and shares the cultural values and culinary essence of Hue.

In the familiar space of schools, tuong - a traditional stage art form once thought to be “hard to approach” for young people - is being brought to life through hands-on experiences. Through makeup sessions, lessons, and opportunities to explore and feel the values of tuong firsthand, this approach is helping younger generations grow closer to cultural heritage and creating new ways to incorporate traditional culture into schools.

“Vai nom tren cat” (Fish Trap Baskets on the Sand) or “Vai chai tren cat” (Fishing Nets on the Sand) is one of the activities staged by residents of Thuan An from the familiar movements of traditional fishing work. During every festival season in this coastal area, “Vai nom tren cat” becomes a vibrant source of spiritual and cultural enjoyment for local people and visitors alike.

On the morning of April 18, the Kun Marathon Hue 2026 officially kicked off at Ngo Mon Square, attracting more than 2,500 young runners from various provinces and cities across the country. Kun Marathon Hue 2026 was held in response to the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2026 (scheduled for April 19). In addition to the familiar 700-meter run combined with obstacle challenges set within Hue’s heritage space, this year’s event carried the message “Protect All Species” and incorporated a series of educational and experiential environmental activities.

With a vivid imagination and familiar natural materials, artist Nguyen Van Tien, from Kim Long Ward, has created an engaging experiential space through the Tataki-zome handcrafted fabric-dyeing technique.

During their spring outings, beyond visiting heritage sites and familiar attractions, many travelers to Hue have chosen a distinctive way to experience Tet: seeking out traditional craft spaces, personally experiencing hands-on activities, and creating handmade products imbued with the rich cultural identity of Hue Ancient Capital.

In the days leading up to the Tet holiday, as the breath of spring gently weaves through every street, Dong Ba market becomes bustling and radiant. Beyond its role as the city’s largest commercial hub, this century-old market has become a familiar destination for residents and visitors to pose for commemorative photos, capturing spring moments imbued with the distinctive character of Hue.