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| The Lion–Unicorn–Dragon Dance Festival and the Mid-Autumn Lantern Parade being highlights of the festival. Photo by: Hue Monuments Conservation Center |
Unique activities for the Mid-Autumn Season
According to representatives of the Department of Tourism, the program aims to organize traditional cultural–tourism activities, enriching the spiritual life of locals while creating fresh experiences for visitors during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hue. In particular, activities such as hanging lanterns, beautifying public spaces, and encouraging communities and guilds to host traditional events such as cuisine fairs and craft demonstrations that will take place at Chi Lang – Bach Dang Quarter.
A highlight with the series of activities will be the dazzling lantern displays in the Ancient Quarter of Chi Lang – Gia Hoi, combined with the Unicorn–Lion–Dragon Dance Festival and the Mid-Autumn Parade. The program is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on October 4th (the 13th day of the 8th lunar month).
According to the plan, there will be 11 performing clusters, including Unicorn dance troupes, children’s dance groups, contemporary dance groups, community artists, entertainers, and a Grab cyclo fleet. After the opening at Nghinh Luong Dinh Pavilion, the parade will move along Tran Hung Dao Street – Gia Hoi Bridge – Trinh Cong Son Park, with a performance stop at the intersection of Tran Hung Dao – Huynh Thuc Khang – Phan Dang Luu, promising vibrant, colorful moments.
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| The unicorn dance teams to deliver spectacular and impressive performances |
In addition, the Department of Tourism will coordinate with organizations to host a unicorn dance exchange festival for troupes across the city. This program will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM on October 3rd at Trinh Cong Son Park. Earlier that day, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, a community workshop introducing Hue lanterns and hands-on lantern-making experiences will be held at the same venue – an activity expected to attract many young people and visitors.
Not only that, on October 3rd–4th, at the Ancient Quarter of Chi Lang – Gia Hoi, night-time Hue culinary experiences will also be offered, adding rich flavors to the festive season of the Ancient Capital. With favorable weather, these unique activities are expected to create a striking highlight.
Cultural experiences in the heart of the Ancient Capital
According to Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the Department of Tourism, in 2025, Hue has the honor of hosting the National Tourism Year with more than 160 events of various scales. Among them, the Autumn Festival programs play an important role in creating a lively atmosphere while showcasing the cultural beauty of Hue to a wide range of visitors.
In previous years, Hue had already organized Unicorn– Lion–Dragon Dance Festival, Mid-Autumn Lantern Parade, and Hue Unicorn Festival. This year, with more careful preparation and an expanded scale, the festival promises richer experiences. Through the program, both locals and visitors will experience the meaningful message: “The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a holiday for children, but also an occasion for reunion, sharing, and community bonding.”
At the same time, Hue Monuments Conservation Center will organize lantern exhibitions and installations on the nights of October 6th–7th, 2025 (the 15th–16th day of the 8th lunar month) at the Treasury Residence in the Imperial Citadel. On display will be Hue’s signature lanterns such as Bao La bamboo and rattan lanterns, CAN Studio folding lanterns, and traditional lanterns crafted by artisans from Gifu Prefecture, Japan. In addition, traditional court games such as Dau Ho, Bai Vu, Xam Huong, and calligraphy writing will be offered, creating cultural experiences for the public and tourists. There will also be the Royal Mid-Autumn Night program at the stage behind the Treasury Residence, Hue Imperial Citadel. These activities will be free of charge. The combination of glowing festival lanterns inside the Imperial Citadel, the resounding beats of unicorn drums, and dazzling parades will bring Hue Autumn 2025 to life with festive vibrancy, where everyone can immerse themselves in the joy of celebration.
To ensure success, the People’s Committee of Phu Xuan Ward, in coordination with the Department of Tourism, has launched a campaign for secondary schools to create lantern models, while mobilizing about 300 students in traditional ao dai to join the Lantern Parade. Residents are also encouraged to decorate their homes and hang lanterns on their porches, creating a radiant space that blends with the festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, night-time culinary activities at the Ancient Quarter of Chi Lang – Gia Hoi will take place in parallel, contributing to the gradual formation of a night street and pedestrian zone linked with Hue’s cultural–tourism space in the future.
According to representatives of the Department of Tourism, alongside coordination with local agencies to organize the program, the Department is also working with businesses to promote and share information with visitors. At the same time, these Mid-Autumn highlights are being integrated into tourism products to stimulate demand.