On the morning of January 21, Hue Central Hospital announced that on January 6, 2026, the hospital marked a significant milestone in Vietnamese medicine. For the first time, surgeons successfully performed a simultaneous surgery to remove two giant polycystic kidneys and perform a kidney transplant. This success not only opens up new hope for patients with end-stage renal failure, but also confirms the ability to master intensive organ transplantation techniques by Vietnamese medical teams.

Thirteen years after Hue first hosted the National Tourism Year, the event returned to the city for the second time in 2025, opening a gateway to new opportunities. From this series of events, beyond the growth figures, the city has gained valuable experience and a new surge of energy known as the “Aspiration for transformation”.

On the first day of 2026, sunny weather set a serene and poetic tone in Hue. Both visitors and residents took time to savor the city’s unhurried, gentle pace. Beyond its famed heritage sites, spiritual and cultural spaces, parks, and public recreation areas were bustling with visitors.

Organized for the first time by Hue University, the “Hue University Innovation Solutions Competition - 2025” not only recognizes innovative initiatives but also motivates lecturers to sustain creativity, foster the inspiration of innovation and startups among students.

Held for the first time in Hue City, the International Tea Festival - Hue 2025 (taking place from December 10th to 12th) not only contributes to honoring Vietnamese tea culture but also is expected to serve as an important starting point, laying the foundation for the formation of a profound cultural, artistic, and tourism-oriented annual event, helping enrich Hue’s identity and enhance its attractiveness.

According to statistics, the number of visitors to Hue in the first 9 months reached nearly 5 million arrivals, witnessing an increase of nearly 63% compared to the same period. This is truly good news for Hue as the city hosts the National Tourism Year for the second time.

On the morning of August 1, Hue City Red Cross held a conference to launch the project titled “Disaster response for animals in Vietnam”. This is the first time that this project has been implemented in Hue with the sponsor from World Animal Protection, an international organization.

For the first time, Hue City is in the top 10 localities with the highest score distribution in the national high school graduation exam. This result is a clear evidence of the correct and sustainable direction of Hue City's education sector in recent years.

In 2012, I first visited Chi Linh - Hai Duong and toured Con Son pagoda. Having had the opportunity to visit and worship at many pagodas across Vietnam, Con Son pagoda left a deep impression on me from the very first glance, due to its scenery, its ancient charm, and an unexplainable sense of sacred understanding. Returning in 2025, that feeling remains as intact as the first time. I respectfully share with readers some photos of this ancient pagoda, which is over 700 years old. And if you have the chance, let you visit once to admire and contemplate.

For the first time, the High School Graduation Exam is being conducted under two general education curricula: the 2006 and 2018 curricula, posing significant challenges in organization and operation. As of June 24, all preparations in Hue City have been completed, ready for a serious, fair, and regulation-compliant exam.