Festival Hue 2008

Hue, the most popular destination in June

The Festival Hue 2008 in the ancient city of Hue will start next Tuesday. For nine days the city and its neighboring areas will be filled with arts, cultural performances by local and foreign artists, traditional festivals, folk games and the re-emergence of special events of the former capital city.
Some programs require tickets, however, events taking place at the Royal Palace, An Dinh Palace, Huong River, Noon Gate and on the streets are open to the public for free. The opening ceremony will take place on the night of June 3 in Ngo Mon, or the Noon Gate, while the closing ceremony will take place on the Huong River on June 11.

This year the organizers have planned some new events such as a contest to select martial arts masters and a re-enactment of the coronation of Quang Trung king in the Ban Mountain.

The Huong River Legend festival, with a royal boat and 20 imperial boats, will feature traditional music programs, ceremonies to welcome the king to the villages and other activities reminiscent of the daily life of the former capital’s residents. Tourists can join the event as passengers on these boats.

Organizers are also repeating popular events from previous festivals, such as the Dem Hoang Cung (Royal Nights) program, introducing the romantic nights of the ancient capital of Hue and the reproduction rites honoring Heaven and Earth by the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty in Nam Giao, to pray for peace, timely rain and good weather. An ao dai (traditional costume of Vietnamese woman) fashion show will also take place during the event.

The organizers announced that French fireworks artist Pierre Alain Huber would be conducting the fireworks display for the opening and closing ceremonies and the ao dai fashion show.

According to the organizing committee’s press release, around 20 countries have registered to perform 40 programs of dance, music, circus, stage, installation art, and street art in the festival, while many local music and dance groups are also ready to join.

The performance programs will change every day and will include modern and traditional dance, Jazz or Rock music, the art performance of Russian artists, traditional dance from South Korea, a performance by American band Kimotion, Ryukyuan traditional dance of Japan, a Canadian circus, a stilt performance by Koninklijke Steltenlopers Merchte group from Belgum and a photo exhibition.

During the festival, tour operators, will organize short tours taking in the festivities as well as famous attractions such as tombs, old houses, community festivals, and others.

(Source: SGT)

Tag: An Dinh Palace , Ao Dai , Exhibition , Festival , Festival Hue , Hue , Japan , Nguyen Dynasty , Tour , Tourist , Vietnam , Vietnamese

Hue, the most popular destination in June