Hue Festival: 2016 dates
Good news for those planning to travel to central Vietnam in spring next year! The 2016 Hue Festival will be taking place from 29th April - 4th May, as confirmed by our friends on the ground in Vietnam.
The Hue Festival is Vietnam's largest celebration of culture and tourism, beginning in the year 2000 and taking place once every two years to great fanfare. Millions of visitors descend on the Explore Hue for the celebration, which includes dance, acrobatics, music performances, art and calligraphy exhibitions, traditional games and special tours of the city's historical sites - concluding with a firework display over the Imperial City. The festival is a joint effort between the authorities of Thua Thien Hue Province and the Embassy of France in Vietnam, taking place over 7 days and nights with the participation of thousands of artists and performers from Vietnam and across the world.
One of the traditional activities enjoyed by revellers is kite-flying, and during the festival the skies above the city become filled with large, intricate kites made in the traditional manner. Hue is known for its elaborate cuisine, developed when the city served as capital of Vietnam, and you can expect plenty of delicious offerings during the festival!
Hue is one of Vietnam's most historically significant cities, and its illustrious past is still evident in its well-preserved Citadel and Imperial City. When the Nguyen Dynasty came to power in 1802, Emperor Gia Long chose Hue as his capital in an attempt to link north and south Vietnam. He began construction of the Imperial City, modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, which is still standing today and provides visitors with a fascinating and evocative link to the past.
Photo: www.huefestival.com
The Nguyen Emperors ruled from Hue until 1885, when the French attacked Hue and looted the capital of anything valuable. Though they were allowed to remain as puppet rulers until 1945, the Nguyen Emperors would never regain the ascendancy they enjoyed during the 19th century - and the Japanese occupation during World War Two finally ended the dynasty for good.
Hue's architectural heritage suffered a great deal during the Vietnam War, but in recent years there has been a great effort to restore some of the city's former glory. The city was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1993, and is one of our favourite destinations in central Vietnam.
If you would like to experience the Hue Festival, our Magnificent Vietnam Small Group Tour will coincide with the celebrations. Check out our website or give us a call to book your place! If you'd prefer to travel independently, we can plan a tailor-made holiday exactly to suit your needs.
