Imperial Citadel lights up with “Enchanting Imperial Palace”

Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Chairman of the City People’s Committee (fourth from the right) attended the program along with leaders of the city and departments, locals, and visitors

Taking place at 8:00 PM from April 25 to 28, the “Enchanting Imperial Palace” is a highlight of the Summer Festival “Shining Citadel”, within the framework of Hue Festival 2026.

A special feature of this program is that it is free of charge for the public, allowing locals and visitors easy access and experiencing cultural heritage values in a nighttime royal setting - a new direction in developing Hue’s specific cultural tourism products.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, emphasized that 2026 opens up many new opportunities for Hue, a centrally-governed municipality, with a development orientation as a distinctive Festival city of Vietnam. Throughout the year, nearly 80 cultural, artistic, and sporting activities will take place, with the Summer Festival serving as the peak period featuring large-scale programs that blend heritage spaces, performing arts, and modern technology.

The “Enchanting Imperial Palace” officially opened following a brilliant fireworks display

The Summer Festival “Shining Citadel” (running from April to June) is the peak period, bringing together large-scale programs that combine heritage spaces with performing arts and modern technology, offering the public fresh and emotional experiences.

The “Enchanting Imperial Palace” has been elaborately staged, tapping into the depth of heritage values to “awaken” the Imperial Palace at night. It also features cultural, culinary, and interactive experience spaces utilizing technology, creating a vibrant and multi-layered portrait of the Imperial Palace.

Following are some photos from the “Enchanting Imperial Palace” captured by Hue Today:

Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, delivered the opening speech

Reenactment of the guard-changing ceremony at the Imperial Palace gate

Light and 3D mapping performances made the Imperial Palace space even more shimmering and mysterious at night

A royal court ceremony was reenacted on stage

Recreating the solemn atmosphere of the Nguyen Dynasty court

The heroic spirit of a troop deployment ceremony and martial drills

Hue Ao-dai performance combined with Hanbok at the Cultural Experience Space

The “Enchanting Imperial Palace” attracted a large number of locals and visitors