Every two years during the month of April, Hue city in Vietnam celebrates the international cultural event dubbed as the Hue Festival. The event’s intent is to honor Hue’s priceless heritage.
When did the Hue Festival begin?
Originally referred to as the Vietnamese-French Festival, the first ever Hue event took place back in 1992. It was eight years later when the fest changed its name to what it is now known for.
Since then, this biennial event aims to celebrate Hue’s unique heritage and the country’s one-of-a-kind national identity. The festival’s theme changes every time. In so doing, visitors are constantly drawn to attend it religiously. As much as a million visitors are seen in Hue during the festival. Currently, it is considered as one of this tranquil city’s most anticipated events. The Hue Festival takes place during April.
What happens during the festival?
A slew of community-based events are aplenty the instance the festival commences. Activities are organized inside and outside the city proper, all of it with the aim to promote Hue’s traditional values. A few of these events are the Nam Giao Worshiping Ceremony, The Night of the Palace, Ao Dai Festival, Truyen Lo Ceremony, Kite Competition, Sea Festival, and the Human Chess.
Traditional festivals are also held throughout the area, including the rejuvenation of Hue’s authentic craft villages. As much as twenty local art companies and twenty international art companies participate in the event. Artists from different parts of the world arrive in Hue to showcase their work as well as perform. They come from as far as France, England, and Brazil. Artists from nearby countries such as China and Korea are also present in the event. Approximately 200 shows can be seen in forty venues within the area. Science conferences, fairs, competitions, and exhibitions are also held.
Local calligraphy exhibitions also take place. Recreations of unique events are also done such as the enthronement of Nguyen Hue as well as the Doctoral examinations done during the Nguyen Dynasty. Other exciting spectacles such as fireworks and dance can also be seen.
What were the spectacles seen in previous Hue Fests?
Previous festivals saw the following performances take place. For one, the “Am Vang Hao Khi Viet” drum concert became the festival’s highlight as it brought together 12 drum troupes from various Vietnam regions to show the country’s heroic rhythms during different time periods in the country’s history.
The historical relics of the Hue Via were also exhibited in past Hue festivals. A costume show was also held wherein Asia’s varied clothes – from Cambodia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Japan, and India – were showcased to reflect each country’s culture.
Street art, dancing, and various types of music are performed in outside venues by both local and foreign artists. The Hue Festival is the perfect place for those who enjoy blending both Western and Eastern cultures.
All in all, no matter your age, gender or country of origin, The Hue Festival provides a cultural excitement that is unparalleled and positively memorable.
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