Night street illuminates Hue’s royal citadel

The zone will take visitors on a trip down the memory lane to discover the city’s folk art, games, traditional crafts, and cuisine. This initiative adds value to the ancient Hue imperial relic site which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1993.

The night zone, spanning four streets: August 23 Street, Dang Thai Than, Le Huan, and Doan Thi Diem, has been expedited to start welcoming tourists on April 22. 

In contrast to the Tay (Westerners’) area where bars and restaurants operate through mid-night, the tranquil, nostalgic night street zone has 28 stalls and four cultural spaces.

Ho Thi Kim Cuc, who lives nearby, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the tourism sector. Thua Thien-Hue province is not an exception. Upgrading the area surrounding the imperial citadel is conducive to the development of tourism, our province’s spearhead sector.”    

Performances of various genres, including tuong (classical opera), dien xuong (singing and talking), and royal court music, will showcase the cultural values that Hue has embraced throughout history.

Tran Viet Hung, Director of the Hue Center for Culture and Information, said, “In addition to opening a new night street zone, we will resume art performances and food stalls in other pedestrian areas to revive the tourism scene in 2022.”  

The street zone around the royal citadel will enrich Hue’s nightlife, in addition to the existing cultural spaces and walking streets along the two banks of the Perfume River, according to Vo Le Nhat, Chairman of the Hue municipal People’s Committee.      

“The night street zone around the royal citadel is distinctive because of the unique folk art heritage to be staged in this area,” said Nhat.   

This year, Hue will also open the Dong Ba night market, where local products and delicacies will be traded.