A tranquil world of knowledge
On weekends, every reading table at the Hue Books and Culture Space, located inside a beautiful French-style building (No. 23–25 Le Loi Street, Thuan Hoa Ward), is occupied. In contrast to the bustling traffic outside, once inside, visitors step into a tranquil space where bookshelves line the old walls, neatly arranged by theme, as readers bow their heads over pages of books.
Frequently bringing her children to this space, Nguyen Thu Trang of Thuan Hoa Ward said it was a cultural stop worth visiting, allowing people to immerse themselves in good books and meet like-minded souls. “Here, books are not only displayed in an impressive, methodical way but are also of very high quality. In addition to books for adults, there is a wide range of titles for children. What I love most is the collection on Hue’s history and culture.”
Like Trang, anyone who sets foot in the Hue Books and Culture Space is drawn to the welcoming atmosphere created by fellow book lovers. “Standing here, with books by your side and the Perfume River in view, reading a book and chatting with someone who shares your interests is a truly special experience,” said Huynh Thuan from Phu Xuan Ward, an enthusiast of reading culture.
Since its opening, the Hue Books and Culture Space has left a lasting impression on all who visit. Many readers return with contributions of books to expand the collection, helping the culture of reading spread ever wider in the community. Over the past year alone, more than 100 cultural events have been held here. Alongside book launches, there have been academic seminars and forums discussing pressing issues of contemporary life, attracting thousands of participants.
According to Truong Thi My Dung, Head of the Hue Books and Culture Club, the unit managing the space, ensuring a continuous flow of events has been a real journey. In addition to seeking sponsorship from businesses, the club also leverages networks to connect with experts and scholars in and beyond the city. “Most of our activities are community-funded. We hope that in the future there will be greater collective support, as well as more attention from different sources, so that we can bring even more engaging cultural activities to the public,” she said.
Many tourists have also expressed delight at experiencing street music programmes along the Huong (Perfume) River. “Hue is a heritage city. Beyond its system of monuments, the riverside spaces have become ideal stopping places. Here, the city’s young generation not only preserves but also continues to enrich cultural values through artistic activities, making Hue even more poetic and beautiful,” said Ha My Huong, a visitor from Ha Noi.
Lively outdoor stages
Just a few steps away from the reading space is the riverside pedestrian street, an impressive open-air cultural venue. Stretching from Truong Tien Bridge upstream along the Huong River, community music nights held at various points have begun to shape the city’s cultural life, particularly for the young. The stage may be a grassy riverside patch lit by soft lighting and equipped with mobile sound systems that attract passers-by. Beyond pre-arranged performances, anyone can register to sing, expressing their burning love for music under the bright stage lights.
In addition to the riverside stage, other venues, such as the square opposite Quoc Hoc High School, Nghenh Luong Pavilion, the stage opposite Kim Long communal house, and Da Vien islet, frequently host community cultural events at weekends. There are also other cultural and sporting activities such as the Ao Dai festival and art performances for the public.
Most recently, the floating stage behind the Quoc Hoc stele square has gained much attention, hosting events such as the opening ceremony of Hue National Tourism Year 2025 and the final of Miss Viet Nam 2024. Alongside these venues, existing art centres such as Le Ba Dang and Diem Phung Thi have helped weave a cultural chain right in the heart of the heritage city. All of this has enchanted visitors from near and far, further strengthening Hue’s reputation as one of Viet Nam’s most distinctive cultural cities.
