Hue City will officially host the International Light Festival in June 2027. This major cultural and technological event is expected to create new opportunities for the development of night tourism in Vietnam’s former imperial capital.
The Cultural Beauty of the Light Festival
More than just a showcase of advanced visual technology, the festival celebrates the seamless connection between the past and the future. The poetic Huong River, with its centuries-old historical significance, will take on a new appearance. Ancient heritage stories will meet contemporary light displays, creating a captivating experience along the river.
The festival’s appeal lies in how international artists bring traditional cultural values to life through modern artistic expression. Vibrant colours reflected on the river will celebrate the identity and heritage of this historic destination. Visitors will come not only to admire spectacular visual performances but also to experience Hue’s distinctive cultural atmosphere – a harmonious blend of timeless elegance, tranquillity and renewed energy.
When and Where Will Hue International Light Festival Take Place?
On October 31, Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People’s Committee, announced that the Hue International Light Festival 2027 will officially take place from June 11 to 13, featuring a series of special artistic performances and activities.
One of the festival’s highlights will be the use of the Huong River as a stage for large-scale light performances. The river’s surface will serve as a projection screen, complemented by the surrounding night sky to create immersive visual displays.
This creative approach will showcase Hue’s scenic beauty and cultural heritage while offering visitors a new way to experience the city after dark.
The Theme: "Tu Lan Quy Phung"
The festival is expected to bring together 10 international teams competing in two forms of light performance: water mapping, which projects visual effects onto water screens, and drone shows featuring coordinated displays by unmanned aerial vehicles. The teams will be randomly paired into five collaborative groups. Each group will consist of one water mapping team and one drone show team.
Under the theme “Tu Lan Quy Phung”, the Organising Committee will introduce the cultural symbolism of Vietnam’s Four Sacred Creatures: Dragon (Long), Qilin (Lan), Turtle (Quy) and Phoenix (Phung). Each group will explore these traditional symbols and develop its own creative storytelling concept for the performances.
Each group will produce a 30-minute artistic presentation, comprising 15 minutes of water mapping and 15 minutes of drone performances. Both segments must follow a unified storyline and connect seamlessly as one complete artistic work.
The performances will combine advanced technology with traditional cultural elements, offering a distinctive interpretation of Vietnam’s heritage through contemporary visual art.
The judging panel will evaluate each presentation based on artistic concept, cultural depth, creativity, technical execution and the coordination between the two performance formats. The competition will award one Champion prize, one Runner-up prize and three Third-place prizes.
Throughout the festival, visitors and local communities will also enjoy a variety of interactive experiences. These include art installations, photo opportunities, food spaces and engaging activities designed to bring people closer to the festival.
Beyond introducing new night-time tourism experiences, Hue International Light Festival 2027 aims to establish an annual light art festival brand. The event is expected to enhance Hue’s appeal as a travel destination while promoting international cultural exchange.
Reference: Bao Van Hoa
