Hue Festival - Celebrating Old Imperial Heritage

For anyone wondering what life was like behind the walls of the Forbidden Purple City, the Hue Festival is the ideal occasion to explore this fascinating history as the vibrant scenes are brought to life again. During the festival, a variety of events take place inside and outside the Citadel, showcasing the most impressive aspects of royal life.

A lively reminiscence of life inside the Forbidden Purple City

“Hue Imperial Night” has established itself as an essential part of every Hue Festival. This evening offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the seldom-seen cultural traits of this historic locale. Held within the Purple City, the event presents the most authentic royal banquets of the Nguyen Dynasty, allowing guests to experience the enchanting atmosphere of the Hue Palace, complete with a rich lineup of activities and performances to enjoy.

To evoke the lively ambiance and shimmering beauty of this historical spectacle, the night commences with the lighting of torches at all four corners of the Royal Palace. Illuminated by hundreds of lanterns strung along the walls, the open space of the Hue Citadel is transformed back to a time ruled by kings, queens, princes, mandarins, and servants.

Photo by @Nguyen Quang Phan

Students and performers partake in the traditional guard-changing ceremony revived during Hue Imperial Night.

In the glimmering expanse of the Citadel, there can be no revival of royal days without the inclusion of the renowned Hue gastronomy. This aspect showcases the nobler culinary traditions of Hue, often considered aristocratic not merely for its unique ingredients or intricate cooking methods but also for the artistry in how these dishes are presented and enjoyed.

The mysterious beauty, elegance, balanced flavors, and distinctive ingredients and colors are hallmarks of the emperor's meals in Hue. The variety of Hue's delectable cuisines is perfectly complemented by the taste of Vietnamese wine and the art of flower arrangement.

A traditional Hue royal meal is incomplete without an assortment of Hue cakes and sweet soups (chè), delightful bites that invite tourists to savor the essence of Vietnam.

Living the royal life

Music plays an indispensable role in the evening, with royal dances, court music, Hue classical drama, and folk music prominently featured. Hue Royal Court Music has been recognized as the first intangible heritage of Vietnam by UNESCO, making this an ideal setting to appreciate this musical art form. Additionally, Tuong Hue (Theatrical Act) captivates audiences with its engaging performances.

Photo: visithue.vn

Beyond being a nostalgic look at royal banquets, “Hue Imperial Night” allows visitors to engage in activities inspired by the royal family's past pleasures. Activities such as calligraphy, antique exhibitions, poetry quizzes, and demonstrations of the art of Hue tea serve as gateways for participants to immerse themselves in the vibrant life inside the Citadel, experiencing the jubilant atmosphere of the royal palaces by night.

New features of "Imperial Night 2025"

In addition to the previously mentioned activities, the “Imperial Night” of the Hue Festival 2025 will feature a range of new exhibitions and performances, including the “Ancient Hue Memories Through Antiques” exhibition at the Ta Vu Pavilion, the captivating spectacle “Memoirs on Imperial Concubines” in the Truong Lang area, and “Tuong’s Mask” installation art displayed at the Nhat Thanh Pavilion. Notably, the reenactment of a princess’s wedding ceremony spanning from Truong Sanh Palace to Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre will unveil another fascinating aspect of the Nguyen Dynasty’s imperial lifestyle.

The tranquil city by the Perfume River retains the spirit of its royal golden age, often revealing glimpses of a long-vanished past waiting to be discovered. The Hue Festival, particularly with its “Imperial Night,” serves as a remarkable opportunity to delve into this rich history.