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| In the framework of Hue Lotus Festival, there is always a space for displaying dishes associated with lotus |
Diversified programs
According to a representative of the Department of Tourism, Hue has been granted the right to host the National Tourism Year in 2025. The number of activities within the framework of the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025 will be extensive, but they will be carefully selected and prepared.
Within the framework of this year’s summer festival (from April to June), there will be more than 20 programs and activities. In addition to the recent Hue VNExpress Marathon, which attracted around 12,000 athletes from across the country, and Ho Chi Minh Television Cycling Race titled “The Unified Country” with an exciting stage through Hue, as well as a fascinating ornamental creature exhibition, many upcoming events are set to further attract visitors to Hue. These include the anticipated F1 Grand Prix international boat race, Hue - Culinary Capital Festival, Hue Lotus Festival, the Beer Festival, Ao dai art show, and especially the grand finale of Miss Vietnam to be held in Hue.
Not only in the center of Hue City, but various local areas around the city will also host many activities, adding diversity to the events, programs, and festivals to attract tourists. Highlights include the “Countryside Market Festival” at Thanh Toan Tiled-Roof Bridge (Thuy Thanh Commune, Huong Thuy Town) and Duong No Village Festival (Duong No Ward, Thuan Hoa District), etc.
In the highland district of A Luoi, Ms. Le Thi Them, Head of the District’s Department of Culture and Information said that to kick off tourism season, A Luoi will rely on its natural resources and the unique culture of local ethnic minorities to organize various tourism activities and festivals to welcome visitors. Highland fairs/markets will also be maintained and organized. In addition, the district has prepared infrastructure, services, and safety measures to ensure a successful season for waterfall tourism and ecotourism.
According to tourism experts, festival, cultural, and sports activities are closely interconnected, serving as a driving force for tourism development and the promotion of tourism, culture, and destinations. Diversifying activities and festival programs offers visitors new and unique experiences. Tourists can combine cultural and sports activities with travel experiences and destination exploration, creating valuable opportunities for the development of tourism in the Ancient Capital.
Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Tourism Information and Promotion Center, shared that the tourism sector of the ancient capital will organize a summer kick off program to launch the summer tourism season. The program aims to announce and promote Hue’s summer tourism season, in which businesses will showcase and introduce a variety of attractive tourism products to stimulate summer tourism demand in 2025 to locals and visitors.
Pushing up promotion
Alongside tourism products and services, promotion and communication are important factors. Compared to previous years, one advantage for this year’s summer tourism boom is the high number of activities associated with the National Tourism Year. The promotional efforts began early and are continuously being carried out, with specific promotions for each program and event.
According to Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, Vice President of Hue Travel Association, the trend among tourists is a desire for diverse experiences, and Hue offers a wide range of tourism options to serve visitors. In addition to its strength in cultural heritage tourism, Hue also offers beach, lagoon, waterfall, and other types of tourism that are popular with visitors during the summer. Additionally, a new music tour on a double-decker bus to explore Hue launched for this summer, adds a unique night-time travel experience for tourists. The key is to enhance communication and promotion to ensure that tourists can get information and come to Hue.
In addition to the official communication channels of the local government and the tourism sector, the business community also collaborates with travel partners from both sides of the country, as well as international partners, to introduce and jointly offer summer tour packages and tourism products.
Leaders of the Department of Tourism stated that in April 2024, the tourism sector of Hue and local businesses participated in two major events, including 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival and 2025 Vietnam International Tourism Mart (VITM Hanoi 2025). Through these events, the Tourism Information and Promotion Center and local businesses introduced product and service information, as well as key programs and events taking place within the framework of the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025. They also highlighted tourist destinations, special tourism products, services, new tours, and tourism promotion programs for 2025 to a large number of locals and visitors, including many summer tourism products. Furthermore, businesses also had the opportunity to connect, exchange, introduce, and expand their market share, sell tourism products and services, and sign cooperation agreements to develop markets with travel agencies, partners, and other local businesses.