Mention Hue, and the Huong River comes to mind. Mention the Huong River, it is hard not to recall the arches of Truong Tien Bridge reflected in the water - a bridge that has witnessed the city’s many transformations through wars, natural disasters, and periods of damage.

At street level, visitors to Hue are often captivated by the warm smiles of Hue people, the moss-covered tiled roofs, and the gentle corners. Yet from above, Hue reveals another kind of beauty – one that is never overwhelming, but quietly compelling, inviting viewers to linger a little longer through the harmonious and graceful character of this heritage city.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, as fashion becomes increasingly diverse and is constantly changing, the traditional ao-dai continues to remain a lasting presence in the lives of women in the former imperial capital. In Hue, the graceful image of women’s association members wearing Ao-dai is not only a symbol of beauty but also a way of preserving and spreading the traditional cultural values of their homeland.

On the familiar green chalkboard, under the skillful hands of Ms. Le Thi Loc Phuong, an art teacher from Tu Ha Primary School No. 1 (Huong Tra Ward), the heritage sites of Hue such as Ngu Phung Pavilion, Thien Mu Pagoda’s bell tower, or the graceful curve of Truong Tien Bridge gradually come to life. Each delicate stroke of white and colored chalk transforms the classroom chalkboard into a lively painting, evoking an image of Hue that is both serene and poetic.

The sound of gongs echoing through the mountains, the graceful spins of Pa Co and Ta Oi (ethnic groups) dances, once thought to belong only to the memory of old festivals, are now alive again in A Luoi 2. Here, a Co Tu girl named A Rel Thuy Linh, along with local youth, continue to nurture their passion, bringing the heritage of their homeland to life with vibrant performances that immerse audiences in the atmosphere of a true festival.

On the 10-acre field of red chiem rice (a traditional red rice grown in brackish lowlands of Hue City, sown by April and harvested by July), each planting season requires 40 to 50 hired laborers, and the harvest stretches over several days. Left untended and unfertilized, the rice grows naturally under the generous sun and rain. Some call it “heaven’s rice” — a variety grown from the grace of Tam Giang’s waters.

Responding to the “Ao Dai Week”, women across A Luoi have been donning their traditional ao dai, shining in costumes made from Zeng fabric. The fusion of ao dai Vietnam with the intricate patterns of A Luoi Zeng fabric creates a look that is both graceful and deeply rich heritage value.

This beauty has also blended with many other factors to contribute to the recognition of Ao dai as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage under the name “Knowledge of Tailoring and Wearing Hue Ao dai”. Hue locals in general and Hue women in particular have the right to hope that one day in the near future, Hue Ao dai will be recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Inspired by the phoenix (“Linh phung” in Vietnamese), a symbol of eternal grace and happiness, the 12 ao dai collections showcased at the recent “Linh phung” Ao dai Festival have left deep impressions and emotions in the hearts of the public and audience.