Hue Festival 2026 has commenced, signifying a pivotal step in Huế’s development, emphasizing heritage, culture, and sustainable growth. The year-long festival includes nearly 80 diverse programs across four seasons, aiming to establish Huế as Vietnam’s premier heritage destination. Events range from royal ritual reenactments to vibrant cultural showcases, culminating in festive winter celebrations.
On January 1, the People’s Committee of the city of Huế held an opening ceremony at Ngo Mon Square within the Huế Imperial Citadel to announce the launch of the year-long festival series.
According to Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, Hue Festival 2026 will reaffirm the city’s position as Vietnam’s leading festival destination and a distinctive heritage city. Nearly 80 cultural, artistic, sports, and international exchange programmes are scheduled throughout the year.
He noted that the festival holds particular importance as Hue continues its long-term vision of development rooted in the preservation and promotion of imperial heritage values, safeguarding cultural identity while moving towards becoming a heritage – ecological – landscape city that is environmentally friendly and smart.
Hue Festival 2026 will follow a four-season model, offering diverse experiences year-round.
- Spring (January-March) will feature reenactments of royal rituals and traditional folk festivals.
- Summer (April-June) will host Hue Festival Week 2026 under the theme Cultural Heritage, Integration and Development, bringing together domestic and international art troupes for performances staged within restored heritage spaces.
- Autumn (July-September) will include Mid-Autumn celebrations, the Hue Lantern Festival 2026, exhibitions, installations, lantern parades, lion dances, and artistic performances.
- Winter will conclude the festival with new programmes such as music events and a New Year countdown, creating a vibrant atmosphere during the colder months.
Beyond the main programme, additional festivals, competitions, exhibitions, and cultural showcases organised by local and international organisations and individuals will take place throughout the year.
The opening ceremony also featured a staged reenactment of the Ban Soc ceremony of the Nguyễn Dynasty, the imperial ritual of announcing and distributing the royal calendar at the end of the lunar year, symbolically marking the beginning of the Hue Festival 2026 series.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 