Hue City Eyes UNESCO Gastronomy Hub Status

Hue City in central Vietnam is intensifying its efforts to protect and promote its culinary heritage, aiming for designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The iconic Vietnamese dish "Bun Bo Hue" has been officially inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage under the category of folk knowledge. This dish, a symbol of Hue’s culinary tradition, embodies centuries of folk wisdom and reflects the soul, lifestyle, and gastronomy of the Hue people. This recognition not only affirms the cultural value of Hue cuisine but also marks an important step towards the city’s ambition of becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has stressed the need to address bottlenecks hindering the transformation of culture into an endogenous resource, soft power, and a driver of national development. He noted that the appeal and reach of positive cultural values in the digital environment have yet to keep pace with the rapid growth of digital platforms and content. Hanoi has also recently launched a series of initiatives to realize its vision of becoming a "Civilised – Distinctive – Creative" capital, where culture and innovation serve as key growth engines. Among the most notable are the creative infrastructure development program and the 2026 creative space design competition, which encourage architects, designers, and creative communities to revitalize former industrial sites, relocated facilities, traditional craft villages, parks, squares, and other public spaces through innovative yet practical design solutions. Furthermore, the traditional Vietnamese martial art Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao has been steadily gaining international recognition. In France, it has become firmly established with more than 10,000 practitioners and about 50 clubs operating under the French Vovinam Federation. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, stated that Vietnamese traditional martial arts embody the essence of martial arts excellence, fostering a philosophy of life that upholds the values of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, while continuing to gain recognition among the international community. Moreover, digitalization is opening new opportunities for smart tourism, thereby expanding public access to heritage and enhancing research activities. Beyond museum walls, technology is also reshaping how the public experiences the city's heritage. The Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 offered participants a rich array of experiences, including explorations of historical landmarks and iconic cultural heritage sites such as the Imperial City of Hue, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary. Charitable activities valued at over 300 million VND (11,400 USD) were also undertaken. These initiatives demonstrate Vietnam's strategy to link its cultural heritage with economic development and enhance its international appeal.