On the morning of January 1, at Ngo Mon Square within the Hue Imperial Citadel, the People’s Committee of Hue City held a ceremony to officially announce Hue Festival 2026, alongside a reenactment of the Ban Soc ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty, marking the opening of the festival series for 2026.
At the event, Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, unveiled the full program of Hue Festival 2026, which will include 80 cultural, artistic, and sporting activities and events. These programs strongly reflect the distinctive cultural identity of the former imperial capital, combined with international cultural exchange, and will take place continuously throughout the year.
Spring Festival
The Spring Festival spans the first three months of the year, featuring events that recreate royal court rituals and unique traditional folk festivals. Highlights include the official announcement of Hue Festival 2026 and the Ban Soc ceremony.
In particular, during Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026, a wide range of rich and distinctive “Tet in Hue” programs will be held. These showcase traditional Tet customs, themed Tet cultural spaces, and springtime entertainment activities of the ancient capital, blended with contemporary cultural and artistic performances.
Summer Festival
From April to June, the Summer Festival takes place, with the centerpiece being Hue Festival Week 2026 under the theme “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development.”
This period features a series of flagship events and programs that bring together the essence of Hue’s cultural heritage alongside performances by domestic and international art troupes. Restored heritage spaces and specially curated artistic programs are expected to offer audiences fresh and emotionally rich experiences of Hue Festival.
Autumn Festival
From July to September, the Autumn Festival highlights Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, the Hue Lantern Festival 2026, and related activities such as exhibitions, art installations, lantern parades, lion dance performances, and a variety of engaging artistic programs.
Winter Festival
Finally, the Winter Festival will introduce several new festive activities to create a more vibrant and warm winter atmosphere in Hue. It will also offer diverse entertainment options for visitors during their stay in the former capital, with highlights including music programs and a Countdown event to welcome the following New Year.
In addition to the main programs, Hue Festival 2026 will feature many supporting events such as festivals, fairs, showcases, and exhibitions, all contributing to a festival that is rich in content and diverse in presentation.
According to the Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, Hue Festival 2026 holds special significance as Hue focuses on developing into a centrally governed city, based on the preservation and promotion of the former imperial capital’s heritage and Hue’s unique cultural identity. The festival also provides an important opportunity to promote Hue’s cultural heritage – especially its World Heritage sites – creating a strong and wide-reaching impact within the community.
The reenacted Ban Soc ceremony, a traditional ritual marking the beginning of a new year under the Nguyen Dynasty, symbolizes aspirations for national peace, prosperity, favorable weather, and harmony. At the same time, it contributes to preserving and promoting Hue’s cultural heritage, leaving a distinctive mark as the first cultural and artistic event of Hue Festival 2026.
Reference: Government News Portal
