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.

Among the approximately 70 traditional villages living on practicing crafts in Hue, the craft of making parasols is a special one. Beyond the meticulous craftsmanship required in the crafting process, this craft is also special because the finished products carry profound symbolic value in the local cultural life. Far exceeding their practical function of shielding from sun and rain, the parasols serve as markers of order, ritual, and reverence.

After days of floods, Hue welcomes the cold along with light, lingering rain, in between dry days and occasional sunshine. Once again, Hue gently returns to its peaceful rhythm of everyday life, preparing itself as best as possible to welcome the New Year 2026.

Hue starts entering winter, beginning a series of long and wet rainy days. But truly, if tourists could “embrace” this Hue’s weather, they will not only fully experience all the senses with the specialty of Hue rain, but can also feel Hue more vivid and authentical in its profound and peaceful space.

As part of the film week celebrating the 24th Vietnam Film Festival, the film “Red rain” (“Mua do”) will be screened for free in Hue on the evening of November 21.

After 12 days of assisting the authorities and people of Hue City in overcoming the aftermath of heavy rains and floods, on the afternoon of November 11, over 500 officers and soldiers from Division 968 (Military Region 4) completed their mission and withdrew to their unit.

After the prolonged heavy rain and flooding in late October and early November, many traffic routes in Hue were cut off, causing significant difficulties in transporting goods. However, thanks to the proactive efforts of functional units and business households,… the commodity market in the area has basically stabilized, and the supply of essential goods is secured. Although prices have fluctuated, the changes are mainly concentrated on certain fresh products.

Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 1, heavy rainfall occurred in Hue City, causing significant damage to people and property. Currently, units and localities in low-lying areas have mobilized maximum resources and machinery to overcome the aftermath of the floods.

On the 10-acre field of red chiem rice (a traditional red rice grown in brackish lowlands of Hue City, sown by April and harvested by July), each planting season requires 40 to 50 hired laborers, and the harvest stretches over several days. Left untended and unfertilized, the rice grows naturally under the generous sun and rain. Some call it “heaven’s rice” — a variety grown from the grace of Tam Giang’s waters.

My Hue has two seasons each year: rain and sunshine. When it rains, the sky and earth turn white, as though “heaven dispatches its annual flood”. When it’s sunny, it’s hot enough to tan your skin. Because of this harsh weather, anyone who has lived in this land - for a lifetime, half a lifetime, or just a short while - will understand and love Hue.