Hue Festival is due to take place between June 3rd and June 11th, 2008. This is the fifth festival to be held in the ancient capital, with record participation of both domestic and overseas artistic groups. Some 80 programs of 25 nations will be presented at this festival.
As host, Hue has made thorough preparation for programmes in the festival. Beside three programmes which were quite successfully organized in previous festivals, including Nam Giao ceremony, Xa Tac praying ceremony and Ao Dai festivity, all to be revived with new content in this festival, tourists will also enjoy festivities new to the festival.
New festivities
The most exciting new feature is the enthronement festival of King Quang Trung. The festival aims to honour the patriotism of people in the ancient capital. In 1788, the national hero, Nguyen Hue, levelled Ban Mountain to make an altar for worshiping saints. He then came to the throne, becoming King Quang Trung. The enthronement of King Quang Trung will be revived in a spectacular manner in the area of 23-hectare Ban Mountain with the participation of hundreds of actors, actresses and martial arts students of Hue ancient capital. Thorough preparation has been done, promising to attract a great many tourists.
The Xa Tac worshiping ceremony is an important royal ritual which took place every two years in spring and autumn under the Nguyen Dynasty. This ritual involves praying for fruitful harvests and peace. King Gia Long had Xa Tac altar built west of the Royal Palace from clean land contributed by localities.
As planned, there will be some 300 fishermen with all types of rituals making a trip from Ngo Mon gate to Dan Xa Tac. Formal rituals will then be conducted.
The martial arts competition is a festival honouring the Vietnamese people’s tradition of martial arts. It also serves as a unique tourism product. In Hue ancient capital under the Nguyen Dynasty, King Minh Mang built the Temple of Martial Arts to honour those contributing to the nation. The martial arts festival will be held in Phu Van Lau area, a very appealing space by the Perfume River.
Beside traditional festivals mentioned above, the “Legend of the Perfume River” is a brand new product to serve tourists in this festival. The Perfume River is closely linked to numerous popular legends. There will be tours on the river for tourists to discover such legends and to enjoy the charm of the river from sunset until late at night. Tourists will also enjoy royal music on boats and take part in a night music programme at Phu Van Lau on the river.
Festivals with amended content
In order to improve the Festival 2008, traditional festivities organised in previous Festivals will be held with amended content.
Nam Giao worshiping ritual, Nights at Royal Palace and Ao Dai festival will all be organised with better preparation and in a much more spectacular manner.
With diversified festival programs which are new in both appearance and content, and dozens of activities greeting the festival, Hue Festival 2008 is sure to be an appealing destination for international and domestic tourists.
Khanh Trinh
Vietnamese
