On the evening of August 30, thousands of audience members packed the stage area at Hue City’s Culture and Sports Square, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Hue Wonderverse Music Fest 2026 - an international heritage and music festival featuring a lineup of renowned singers.

In the course of researching the cultural heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty in the former Hue imperial capital, researchers often come across precious materials that have been preserved among local families, quietly surviving in the spaces of communal houses, pagodas, ancestral worship halls, or aristocratic residences. Layer upon layer of historical sediment is gradually being brought to light.

After nearly two decades of practicing art, Mr. Nguyen Van He has found himself returning to one question: How can memories be transformed into hope? The Hue-born artist has “distilled” his answer into ‘Folding a Sky’, an exhibition he painstakingly brought from Kim Son Hill to Ho Chi Minh City to present to the public in mid-July.

Against a backdrop of upbeat music and dynamic artistic lighting effects, dozens of young models took to the runway, showcasing impressive collections by renowned fashion designers at “Cham 2.”

The medium of watercolor may appear delicate, yet in the hands of skilled painters, it becomes a powerful means of expression. At the exhibition “There Is… a River”, visitors can experience both the talent of the painters and the distinctive allure of a medium known for its transparency, lightness, and poetic charm.

On the evening of June 15, as part of Hue International Music Week 2026, the stage by the Perfume River, in front of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School, continued to draw a large audience with performances by Ojos band (France), Kawanishi Natsuki (Japanese singer), as well as Vietnamese singer My Anh, and artist Matthew Ifield (Australia).

As part of the Lantern Festival under the theme “The Golden Light of the Dharma - Cultural Convergence, Spreading Peace”, thousands of monks, nuns, Buddhists, locals, and visitors joined in offering prayers before taking part in the ritual of releasing floating lanterns onto the Huong River.

From midnight each day, farmers from Thanh Trung (Hoa Chau Ward) begin harvesting vegetables. The field comes alive with the familiar rhythm of daily livelihood.

On the evening of April 25, at Hue Imperial Citadel, within the framework of Hue Festival 2026, the art program “Enchanting Imperial Palace” officially opened. The event offers a variety of experiential areas, recreating the shimmering and enchanting beauty of Hue’s royal heritage at night.

Unlike the potted orchid lilies often seen in gardens, the pink trumpet tree is a tall, woody species typically planted along streets. Originating from the Americas, this flower - also known as the pink bell flower - has been widely grown in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It usually blooms from February to June. When in full blossom, most of its leaves fall away, leaving behind clusters of soft pink and light purple flowers that create a gentle, romantic scene under the sun.

On the Lantern Festival (the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month) more than 15 years ago, the most “pure Hue native” friend I know, architect Nguyen Trong Huan, and I put on thin raincoats and walked together through the light, drifting drizzle to search for Hue’s culinary specialties. Having lived in this city for many years, Huan still longed for the flavors he once tasted.

Nguyen Hoang Bridge, spanning the Huong River, was just technically opened to traffic on the morning of March 26, eagerly awaited by the people of Hue City. The bridge boasts a unique design, creating a scenic highlight.