Over its 24-year history, the Huế Festival has achieved significant milestones, steadily establishing its national and worldwide reputation. It has contributed to stimulating tourism, preserving culture, and fostering socio-economic development in Thua Thien Hue province.
Striving to become a national and international Festival city
According to Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue, Head of the Organizing Committee, in the effort to become a nationally and internationally recognized Festival city, the Hue Festival 2024 continues its tradition of cultural activities, embracing traditional, impressive, and humanistic elements while engaging both residents and visitors in creative participation and enjoyment.
The festival not only offers iconic artistic programs representing various national and international cultures for visitors to participate in, but it also meticulously restores and preserves imperial court and folk festivals, as well as introduces new festivals in line with current trends to meet the public’s recreational needs. The Hue Festival promotes socio-economic development and establishes Thua Thien Hue as a cultural and tourist hub in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This aligns with the Politburo’s successful implementation of Resolution No 54, which aims to build and develop Thua Thien Hue province until 2030, with a vision to 2045. By 2025, Thua Thien Hue intends to become a centrally governed city, based on the conservation and promotion of the legacy value of the ancient capital and the cultural identity of Huế, with cultural, heritage, ecological, landscape, and environmental aspects.
Hue Opera Theater performs special shows for the audience. Organizers of Hue Festival 2024 provided
The Hue Festival 2024 has adopted a seasonal approach, expanding its festivities throughout the year, gradually establishing a new system of festival programs: the Spring Festival – “Xuân cố đô” (January – March); the Summer Festival “Kinh thành tỏa sáng” (April – June), highlighted by the Huế International Arts Festival 2024 to promote and celebrate Hue’s cultural identity towards making it truly a distinctive Festival city of Vietnam; the Autumn Festival “Hue vào thu” (July – September) focusing on the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Hue Lantern Festival 2024, featuring street dragon and lion dances, lantern exhibitions, traditional Mid-Autumn Festival experiences, showcasing the beauty of Vietnamese culture; and the Winter Festival “Mùa đông xứ Huế” (October – December) culminating in the Hue Music Week 2024 and ending with the Countdown program bidding farewell to the Hue Festival 2024 – welcoming the new year 2025.
Highlighting the Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024
Building upon previous festival achievements, the highlight of the Hue Festival 2024 is the Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024 with the theme “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development,” taking place from June 7-12, 2024. The “Khai hội” show features a grand street parade before the opening ceremony at Ngo Mon Square, kicking off the festival week.
The Huế International Arts Festival Week 2024 was held for the first time at the Kien Trung Palace within the Imperial Citadel of Hue, marking the beginning of a vibrant series of events during the art program.
Nights of music and light showcasing artistic talent on the core values of the country’s and humanity’s cultural heritage are part of the arts program. With the help of cutting – edge technologies like 3D mapping, holograms, LED matrices, and laser projections, the creative program shone brighter than ever. The stage presented Hue as “Gleaming with Heritage,” endorsing peace and sustainable development; hailing the “Miraculous Ancient Capital”; bringing together the “Harmony of Sounds” from different parts of the nation and abroad; and paying tribute to a city of sustainable development with the goal of “Brilliant Thousand Years”.
Hue Royal Traditional Art Theater introduces intangible masterpieces and the vocal tradition of humanity at Hue Festival. Organizers of Hue Festival 2024 provided.
In addition to the main programs, within the framework of the festival week, there are also other festivals: the Light Festival with Western modern technology elevating the splendor of Hue’s heritage, offering visitors a magical and poetic experience at Thái Bình Lâu and Thiệu Phương Garden (Imperial Citadel of Hue); the Beer Festival as a grand musical feast featuring beloved leading Vietnamese artists such as: Hieu Thu Hai, Tang Duy Tan, Double2T, DJ OXY, MC Hoàng Rapper… the Lantern Festival illuminating the Perfume River and Hue’s vegetarian culinary festivals; the “Tam Giang Waves” festival.
The Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024 concludes with an arts night on June 12 at the Kien Trung Palace, Imperial Citadel of Hue. The event offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing the cultural diversity of Hue, Vietnam, and countries around the world.
Along with the main programs, there are supporting activities, socializing programs, and a variety of community cultural events. The Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024 aims to promote the ancient capital Hue, enhance its brand and stature as Vietnam’s distinctive festival city, contribute to the successful implementation of Resolution No 54 by the Politburo, and strive for Thua Thien Hue to soon become a centrally governed city.
Vietnamese Lycicist dance group with a performance that connects tradition and modernity. Organizers of Hue Festival 2024 provided
The Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024 offers unique cultural, historical, and artistic experiences, including performances by leading domestic and international artists showcasing imperial court music and unique folk melodies, as well as high-quality traditional and contemporary art programs from 8 countries across continents, held nightly on stages at Kien Trung Palace, Thái Bình Lâu, Thiệu Phương Garden (Imperial Citadel of Huế); community stages at Quốc Học public stage, and throughout Thua Thien Hue province.
The Hue Festival unites Hue’s historical past with its present to define its future. The old capital of Hue welcomes people from near and far to enjoy fresh, distinctive, and outstanding features./.
Q.Lien
