In Greek mythology, the supreme god Zeus transformed himself into a bull to seduce the beautiful princess Europa. When she mounted his back, the bull carried her across the sea to the island of Crete, where she gave birth to great kings, seen as an allegory for the birth of European civilization. The continent of Europe was therefore named after her – Europa, later known by the common name Europe.

A quick lunch when the afternoon has already faded into evening, and a dinner late at night, despite the hard work, orchid arrangers during Tet season remain cheerful and excited, because the job is not only a way to earn a living, but also a way to satisfy their passion.

At the heart of the Imperial City of Hue, the 180-year-old Co Mat Vien (Supreme council for military and major state affairs of the Nguyen Dynasty) is gradually being revitalized in a new guise. Formerly the seat of the highest decisions of the Nguyen Dynasty, the space is being shaped into a center for creativity, education, and heritage experiences for the community.

For over two decades devoted to mother-of-pearl inlay work, Phan Tan Dat, born 1992, has transformed seashells into shimmering masterpieces on horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, guarding screens... preserving the complete ancient soul of Hue.

The lotus is one of the beautiful symbols of serenity, peace, and tranquility. In Hue, the lotus blooming season usually begins in May and June, when the weather changes into hot and sultry days. This time also coincides with April of the Lunar year, the time marked with the significant event of the Grand Buddhism Celebration (Vesak).

People say that Hue is so strange that every time you pick up the camera to take a photo, a beautiful corner will be covered into your lens, no matter it is taken by a professional camera or just a smartphone. This is even truer when Hue enters the dewy season, the time when chilly air mingles with the warmth of the sun.

On the afternoon of August 10, Mr. Phan Viet Phuc, Head of the Phu Loc District Forest Protection Department, said that the functional forces, in collaboration with local residents, had just released a Vich sea turtle, weighing about 70 kilograms, back into the natural environment.

The working trip to the Spratly Archipelago lasted 18 days, but for me, the emotions in my heart are forever filled with years, when I "touched" the sacred waves. Tearful, I looked up at the proudly flying National Flag, imprinting the national image on waves, carrying the image of a resilient soldier in the open sea, and bursting into a heroic song: "The Fatherland’s echoes from the sea..."

It is the Huong River, the river that "embraces Hue in its heart", which is also a priceless gift that nature has dedicated to this place. The Huong River is magnificent from the upstream, with a peaceful beauty and full of poetry as it confluences and hugs around gardens and villages such as Kim Long, Nguyet Bieu, Vy Da, Gia Hoi, Bao Vinh, and Sinh village, etc. And then, before pouring water into the sea, the downstream river area is a place to make a living, which is hard but close and dear to the locals.

Scarcely had the boats been pushed into the sea, touching the water surface when the waves, in turn, hit the shore. The wind and waves struck the boat sides, causing the boat to wobble. But a few minutes later, the muscular men with the help of the sea village women successfully started the boats for a squid fishing trip which would last more than 12 hours.