On the afternoon of November 21st, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held a workshop titled: “Solutions to Improve the Qualifications of Research work force, Technology, and Business Management Personnel to Apply and Master High Technology and Advanced Technology in Order to Increase Productivity and Quality of Key Products in the City, Aiming toward Developing National Products”. The discussion focused on solutions to elevate Hue cajeput essential oil into a national-level product.

One early morning, when opening the door, and you feel a cold breath rush across your face, that is when Hue starts entering winter. Before winter set in, the city endured consecutive, devastating floods; and, in that cold air, there still lingers the smell of fresh mud and the traces of things not yet put back in order.

On the afternoon of November 16, the City Civil Defense Command issued an order to regulate the operation of the two hydropower reservoirs, Binh Dien and Huong Dien, in response to heavy rain.

A kite originating from Hue, which has been preserved for nearly 60 years in a museum in the United States, was discovered by a Vietnamese restoration expert. Through numerous accompanying documents, together with a passion for cultural roots, that expert “told the story” about how the kite was ordered in Hue Ancient Capital, then taken all the way to the U.S., and became an artistic artifact, etc…. It was truly fascinating.

At the time when everything can be ordered online and delivered to your door, in a cozy place by the Huong river (Perfume River), we still gather every year to cook a pot of banh tet and to sing songs to say our farewells to the old year and welcome the new one. (Banh tet is the symbolic food for Tet (the New Year Celebration).

It was not by chance that the five-panel Ao dai appeared in 1744 during the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, merely by an order from the lord’s court.

On the morning of December 28, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had a meeting and commendation with the team of students who won prizes in the international Olympiad and Scientific and Technical Competitions 2024. Ho Duc Trung, an alumnus of Quoc Hoc Hue High school for the Gifted was awarded the Third-Class Labor Order for his achievement of winning the Silver Medal at the International Biology Olympiad.

CNN, an US news outlet, has recently reported an increasing number of social media posts sharing tips on how to order a drink originally from Vietnam at a major American coffee chain. This sought-after beverage is salt coffee.

Throughout the S-shaped strip of the land of Vietnam, Ao dai can be found in every region. Specifically, in Hue, Ao dai has become a part of the cultural identity and unique beauty of the people here. An important milestone in Hue Ao dai costume was in 1744, after Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat ascended the throne in Phu Xuan, he promulgated many policies and mentioned the modification of costumes. Thereafter, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the court issued an order, creating an opportunity for Hue women in particular and Vietnamese women in general to wear Ao dai regularly. Accordingly, the tradition of wearing Ao dai gradually entered the daily life of people.

Culinary tourism has become incredibly trendy around the world. Although Hue is proud of its rich and diverse cuisine, there is still much work to be done in order to turn it into a competitive advantage to attract tourists.