At Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum 2026, the thematic session ‘From Heritage Conservation to Cultural Industries: Unlocking Potential and Connecting Opportunities for Local Cooperation’ highlighted how heritage is increasingly being seen as a resource for development when connected with communities, technology, tourism and cultural industries.

On August 19 and September 2, Vietnamese citizens will be granted free admission to heritage sites managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center. The initiative offers an opportunity for visitors to explore Hue’s heritage during the public holidays, while gaining deeper understanding of the historical and cultural values of the Ancient Capital.

On the afternoon of August 5th, during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from Kyoto Environmental Activities Association (KEAA) led by Honorary Professor Tatsuro Niikawa, President of KEAA., Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee, reaffirmed that Hue highly values and wishes to further strengthen its friendship and cooperation with Kyoto, a city that shares many similarities with Hue in terms of history, culture, and the vision of sustainable heritage urban development.

As Hue City advances its development as a centrally governed heritage city, the need to fully identify and recognize the city's cultural, historical, landscape, and human values has become increasingly urgent.

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).

The front page leads with “From recognizing values to shaping the future of Hue’s heritage”, reflecting key outcomes from the International scientific conference on the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage values.

If the past 5 years were a period of building a ‘data reservoir’, the next 5 years will be a time of forming a ‘data power plant’, where data is not only stored, but also harnessed to create new values. This also requires management agencies to shift from a mindset of managing data to the one of exploiting and promoting its values, bringing heritage closer to the public while opening new opportunities for economic development based on heritage.

On July 18th, the University of Sciences, Hue University, in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi, and Hanoi National University of Education, will host the international scientific conference "Preserving and Promoting Cultural Heritage Values: International Experience and Vietnamese Practice".

Thanks to the application of artificial intelligence (AI), many of Hue’s heritage values are being retold by young people in an entirely new “language”. Historic structures and symbolic cultural icons, long associated with an atmosphere of antiquity and quiet elegance, are now being brought to life through digital creations, contributing to taking Hue Ancient Capital’s image closer to young audiences.

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.