Within the tranquil setting of Hue Imperial Citadel, the melodies of nha nhac (Royal Court Music) resonate slowly and steadily. This enduring musical flow quietly carries echoes of the past, along with the steadfast efforts of those who dedicate themselves each day to preserving the heritage.

While the morning mist still lingers over the streets, Hue’s flower market is already awake before dawn. At the market along Ngo Kha Street in Phu Xuan Ward, near the wholesale market, warm yellow lights spill over bundles of flowers still in bud. The sharp revving of motorbikes, vendors calling out to one another, and brisk bargaining create a unique rhythm of the final days of the lunar year.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse, when streets are awash in the golden hues of apricot blossoms, young people once again eagerly enter the season of photo hunting. From the Imperial Citadel, ancient pagodas, and Dong Ba Market to cafes decorated in spring colors, every street corner and every space become a backdrop for capturing beautiful moments. Tet photos not only mark the transition between the old year and the new, but also reflect the vibrant, youthful rhythm of life in the heart of the Ancient Capital.

Hue - the tranquil Ancient Capital, where the slow rhythm of life blends with profound cultural depth has long nurtured a dream colored by the green grass of the football pitch: the dream of seeing Hue football present in the V-League, the highest level of Vietnamese football.

Amid the rhythm of life in Hue, Ca Dao Dance Troupe stands as one of the few collectives that have steadfastly pursued a professional path in dance, contributing to the enrichment of Hue Imperial Citadel’s contemporary artistic life. Leading the Ca Dao Dance Troupe for over 11 years is Ms. Dang Nu Hoang Quyen (born in 1980), a choreographer who also serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Theory at the University of Sciences, Hue University.

In the early mornings, the southern part of Hue City begins with a familiar rhythm: the sound of runners’ footsteps along the coastal road, the crisp tap of shuttlecocks in a commune’s small badminton court, and the cheerful laughter of people practicing wellness fitness exercises. This sporting atmosphere has become an integral part of daily life, helping residents improve their health, strengthen community bonds, and nurture an optimistic spirit.

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.

The melancholic sound of the khen flute drifts through the mist along the mountain slopes, whispering in harmony with the babbling streams and the rhythmic clatter of looms, creating a mystical melody that captivates travelers. The village of A Luoi today bustles with visitors from afar, as the local people have learned to leverage their cultural identity for tourism. Behind these transformations are the tireless footsteps of a Pa Co woman who loves her homeland - That is Ms. Le Thi Them, the former Head of the Culture and Information Department of the former A Luoi District, now the Head of the Party Building Committee of A Luoi 1 Commune.

Amid the tranquil rhythm of life in Hue, music still finds places of its own to resonate, not on grand stages, but in small rooms, where young people freely pour their passion into an ever-growing number of local recording studios.

Born in 1987, Pa Co man Nguyen Xuan Bay from Ra Looc village - A Soc hamlet, Hong Bac commune (now A Luoi 2 commune) came to traditional music with a pure, instinctive love. “I learned by myself, I felt for myself, and I listened the rhythms that echoed from village festivals, through the hands and breaths of the elders, then practiced on my own,” Bay shared.