Hue - festival city of Vietnam and of international scale, Hanoi

The Hue festival is dubbed as a party of art and culture. It will boast a myriad of performances and shows, including communal rituals from various regions and different cultures, involving hundreds of artists. The city has twice received UNESCO accreditation, once when its royal citadel complex was recognized as a world cultural heritage site in 1993, and again for Nha Nhac - Royal Court Music, which was listed as a traditional intangible heritage in 2003. The first Hue festival was held in 2000. The event is held every two years and it has transformed Hue into the first festival city in Vietnam. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ly, Chairman of the Hue People's Committee says "Hue has major potential for tourism development. Almost all local foreign investment projects focus on tourism. The city has been recognized as a festival city of Vietnam and of international scale." Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in this year’s festival, which will be held on the largest outdoor stage, with shows in different parts of the city including the Citadel, An Dinh palace and Tinh Tam lake. Tinh Tam lake, which was deserted over dozens of years of war, has been restored and will be one of the centerpieces of the festival. Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, a local who lives near the lake says "When I was small, I was told that kings and mandarins spent their leisure time in the lake. Over a long period of time, it became degraded. Now a lot of effort has been exerted to turn the lake into a tourism centre. We are very happy." Tinh Tam lake is nestled in middle of the former capital. There are 3 islets Bong Lai, Phuong Truong and Dinh Chau, home to a number of palaces, linked with each other by corridors and bridges, with bamboo and willow trees on both sides. Lotus grows in the lake and its magnificent fragrance and color linger in summer. Legends have it that kings and mandarins came to this place to relax and drink tea scented with lotus from the lake. Hue is famous for its lotus products, especially Tinh Tam lotus. The Hue festival is dubbed as a party of art and culture. It will boast a myriad of performances and shows, including communal rituals from various regions and different cultures, involving hundreds of artists. An extravaganza to honor Nha Nhac Royal Court music and other typical art forms from Hue and other regions combined with contemporary arts. There will also be unique programs such as an Ao dai (traditional dress) show, Nam Giao rites and festivals of kites, lantern processions, lion dances. Mr. Vo Van Quan, Director of XQ company, which participates in the Hue Festival says "Through the festival, people are reminded of traditional crafts, history, memory and hospitality, which are typical for Hue people. Visitors are invited to drink a cup of tea and to listen and sing love songs. We will use lively installations and displays so that visitors may almost touch our marvelous heritage." The Hue festival is for all and has become the pride of the local people.