April will serve as the festival’s opening highlight, featuring a series of signature programmes aimed at boosting visitor numbers during the peak holiday period.
Many activities are timed to coincide with major national holidays, including the Hung Kings Commemoration Day (April 25–27), Reunification Day (April 30), and International Workers’ Day (May 1), as the city seeks to stimulate tourism demand.
From April 24 to May 2, the “Imperial Cuisine Space” at the Hue Imperial Citadel will open each afternoon, offering visitors an immersive culinary experience combining royal court gastronomy with traditional local flavours. The venue is expected to become a popular stop before evening tours of the citadel.
On April 29 and May 1 evenings, the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre will host the “Royal Banquet Night”, where guests can enjoy meticulously prepared imperial dishes served following traditional court rituals, accompanied by artistic performances recreating the splendour of Nguyen Dynasty palace banquets.
Meanwhile, from April 25 to 28, locals and tourists will receive free evening access to the Imperial Citadel for the “Mystical Imperial Palace” programme, featuring immersive performances and artistic activities designed to bring Hue’s royal heritage to life after dark.
Toward the end of April, the coastal cultural event “Thuan An – The Sea Calls” will take place at Thuan An Beach, celebrating the folk traditions of local fishing communities while showcasing Hue’s strengths in marine tourism and coastal economic development. Highlights include traditional boat races, local product exhibitions, community sports and recreational activities.
The Summer Festival will also feature a range of accompanying events, including the Hue Nam Palace Festival (April 18–19), a Reading Culture Festival and book fair, creative exhibitions on French-era architecture and historical sites in Hue, an orchid and ornamental plant showcase, and a themed “Photo Tour” for photography enthusiasts.
Hue’s tourism sector has recorded strong growth momentum. In the first quarter of 2026, the city welcomed more than 1.9 million visitors, up 31.3% year-on-year. International arrivals exceeded 843,000, rising 26.7%, while domestic visitors reached over 1.05 million, an increase of 35.2%. Tourism revenue surpassed 4.478 trillion VND (170 million USD), representing a sharp 71.4% rise compared with the same period last year.
In 2026, Hue aims to attract between 7 and 7.5 million visitors and generate approximately 15 trillion VND in tourism revenue.
