Although he works in forestry and biodiversity conservation, Mai Quang Huy has never let go of his passion for and love of painting.

Beyond visiting heritage sites, enjoying local cuisine and exploring traditional crafts, residents and visitors to Hue now have more interactive and creative ways to experience the city. From getting acquainted with the handpan and making wagashi by hand to painting and crafting, … small-scale workshops are adding new ‘colors’ to the life experiences in the Ancient Capital.

After its preliminary round, the 2026 Children’s painting contest based on books, themed ‘Drawing the Future with Books’, attracted over 350 paintings submitted by students aged 6 to 15 from across Hue City. Organized by Hue City Library, the contest selected 50 works from the entries for the final round, which was held on August 14.

Painter Mai Chau and the late painter Than Van Huy are two prominent figures in Hue's fine arts scene, leaving behind a legacy of works deeply imbued with Zen philosophy and a profound love for their homeland, Buddhism, and humanity. Their paintings possess a compelling depth, prompting viewers to slow down, reflect, and find a sense of serenity amidst life.

Offering both a fresh artistic experience and a way to preserve the vibrant emotions of spring, the workshop on paintings to hang up for Tet led by young artist Tuyet Loan at An Yen Station (Phu Xuan Ward) has become a tranquil gathering place where participants immerse themselves in radiant brushstrokes.

Alongside the famous horse paintings by renowned artist Le Ba Dang, art lovers have been able to admire many other works sharing the same horse theme on the occasion of Binh Ngo Spring 2026.

Dozens of paintings, considered rare treasures by generations of Hue’s renowned artists, have just been unveiled to the public. These works are now displayed at Lebadang Art Space of the Hue Museum of Fine Arts (No.15 Le Loi Street, Thuan Hoa Ward). The 75 pieces showcased in this exhibition belong to an art collection that the Museum has patiently and devotedly gathered over many years.

On July 29, Ms. Dinh Thi Hoai Trai, Director of Hue Museum of Fine Arts stated that the 8 paintings were created by 7 artists using various materials; in which, there were some paintings by artists whose works were already part of the museum’s collection.

The works from the contest for composing new lyrics to Hue folk tunes, paintings about Hue culture, and collections of folklore organized by the Department of Education and Training (DoET) have become valuable educational resources for implementing the local cultural education program for preschool children.

Artist Dang Thi Thu An is one of the prominent faces among the promising generation of 1980s artists from Hue. With works deeply characterized by traditional culture, especially depicting women figures and áo dài, she has contributed to creating a unique impression in contemporary Vietnamese painting.