Opening Ceremony of National Tourism Year

"The shimmering colors of the Huong River" kicks off the opening ceremony of National Tourism Year – Hue 2025

Opening a new phase for tourism development

By 6 PM, the grandstand area where the opening ceremony of NTY – Hue 2025 was held was already crowded. With pleasant weather, both locals and tourists eagerly arrived early to witness this special event.

This is the second time Hue has hosted the NTY, demonstrating the city's efforts, along with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MOCST), in organizing the event under the theme "Hue – The Ancient Capital, A New Opportunity."

Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh addressing at the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized Hue’s crucial role in Vietnam’s development. Located in the heart of the country, Hue serves as a cultural bridge between the North, Central, and South regions. With nearly 720 years of history from Thuan Hoa – Phu Xuan – Hue, the city embodies Vietnam's intellectual and cultural essence. It boasts eight UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, including Hue Royal Court Music, which has earned international recognition, reinforcing the enduring value of Vietnam's traditional arts.

According to Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, the National Tourism Year 2025 will feature numerous vibrant activities in Hue City and various provinces and cities across the country. The event follows the direction of “combining strengths, amplifying advantages, and igniting success,” with a focus on organizing practical and widely impactful events such as cultural-tourism weeks, culinary festivals, and artistic activities that are “diverse in form – unique in content.” Additionally, it aims to “transform cultural assets and cultural industries into resources and driving forces for tourism development.” With a new spirit, renewed enthusiasm, and a profound resonance with the nation’s millennia-old cultural traditions and civilization, the event deeply reflects the determination and aspiration for a strong and prosperous national development.

Mr. Le Truong Luu, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Council, and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hue City, along with other delegates, attended the program.

Speaking at the program, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized that 2025 is expected to mark a strong comeback for Vietnam's tourism industry, with ambitious goals of welcoming 22–23 million international visitors and 120–130 million domestic visitors. Over 22 editions of the event, Hue has been honored twice as the host of the National Tourism Year (in 2012 and 2025). This not only acknowledges Hue’s position on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world but also reflects the attention and responsibility of the Party, the State, and central agencies toward Hue in its overall socio-economic development and tourism growth.

To ensure a breakthrough and even stronger development in tourism, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, along with other ministries, sectors, Hue City, and localities nationwide, to build on their achievements, overcome difficulties and challenges, and actively collaborate to effectively implement key tasks. These include rolling out comprehensive and synchronized solutions in planning and investment attraction to create distinctive and high-quality tourism products linked to the unique values of cultural heritage.

He also stressed the importance of digital transformation and technology in promoting Hue and Central Vietnam’s tourism, creating new opportunities while minimizing environmental and heritage impact; enhancing a civilized, friendly, and sustainable tourism environment, advancing green transformation, and leveraging cultural heritage for tourism growth are essential. The vision is to establish a "Journey Through Ancient Capitals", with Hue as a key destination attracting visitors worldwide.

According to Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Hue People's Committee, hosting NTY 2025 is an opportunity for Hue to showcase its rich cultural, historical, and natural beauty to both domestic and international visitors. This comes at a significant moment as Hue has just been designated as a centrally governed municipality. The event is a powerful motivation for Hue to preserve and promote its cultural heritage while embracing innovation and sustainable development in the new era - the era of Vietnam's resurgence. Hue aims to deliver a vibrant tourism year with numerous festivals, artistic performances, and cultural events that honor heritage while blending tradition with modernity.

The NTY 2025 opening ceremony not only marks the start of a dynamic tourism year but also heralds a new phase for Vietnam’s and Hue’s tourism industry. With meticulous preparation and a strong sense of responsibility, the event is expected to be a great success, elevating Hue’s tourism status and driving local socio-economic growth.

An impressive artistic program

The NTY 2025 opening ceremony featured a grand artistic performance themed "The River’s Serenade." Staged in a semi-realistic riverside setting, the production involved over 800 performers, including renowned singers, artists, and international art troupes. Notable highlights included drone light shows, electronic water drums, panoramic water music, flying dragons, and parachute performances. The ceremony also featured a dazzling fireworks display celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hue’s Liberation (1975–2025).

The opening art program of the National Tourism Year – Hue 2025 consists of three chapters, carrying the message "A River’s Serenade: The Legend of a River; The Convergence of Rivers; The New Flow of Rivers." It showcases the tangible and intangible cultural values, unique tourism resources, and products of Vietnam. At the same time, it serves as a promotional platform for Festival Hue 2025, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Hue’s Liberation (1975 – 2025), and highlights the transformation of Hue as a centrally governed municipality.

The opening art program of the National Tourism Year begins with the Huong River, rich in cultural sediments, intertwined with the history of the ancient capital and its evolution into modern-day Hue. Additionally, it artistically narrates the stories of famous rivers from different regions of Vietnam. The performances focus on highlighting the unique cultural identities of each land through their iconic rivers. The script’s concept also conveys a profound message: from these rivers flowing into the vast sea, it carries the symbolization of the nation's integration, development, and rise in the new era.

The opening night left a deep impression on officials, audiences, and tourists, offering a mesmerizing experience of the heroic land’s beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality. Chau Ngoc Mai, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "The riverside stage was breathtaking. This event has deepened my appreciation for Hue’s culture, land, and people."

Photos from the ceremony captured by Hue Today: