Published:  09:35 Monday - December 05, 2016

The former imperial city of Hue's music, handicrafts, cuisine and tourism will be on display during a program taking place on December 13-16 at the Hà Nội Opera House.

The event will highlight culture and promote tourism in the city in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, said Nguyen Dung, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

“The Hue Culture and Tourism Days in Hanoi aim to honor the uniqueness of Hue culture and introduce the city’s tourism potential,” said Dung.

“It’s a chance to present Hue’s image and products to Hanoians as well as international tourists.”

Highlights of Hue cuisine will be introduced including bún bò Hue (a fragrant beef soup, with fresh rice vermicelli noodles), chả giò (spring rolls), cơm hến (rice served with little clams), and various kinds of Hue cakes and chè Hue (sweet puddings).

The food will be cooked by leading chefs and served at 12 traditional wooden houses brought from Hue to Hanoi with aim to bring customers a feeling of dishes in Hue. The culinary booths will be open all day to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner for eaters.

During the four-day event, handicrafts like lanterns, kites, flutes and specialties of Hue including mắm tôm chua ( fermented sour shrimp paste), mè xửng (sweet candy made of malt, sesame and peanuts) will be introduced.

Hue folk songs and lyrical melodies will be performed at a special concert entitled "Winter in Hue" on December 14-16.

"While nhã nhạc (royal court music) recognized in 2003 by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has been performed and introduced widely at home and abroad, folk music of Hue hasn’t received its due attention," said Nguyễn Việt Đức, director of Hue Music Academy.

“That’s why we choose folk music and lyrical songs written by famous composers Trịnh Công Sơn, Nguyễn Văn Thương and Trần Hoàn from 1950s to present to Hanoi’s audience,” he said.

The tickets of Winter in Hue concert is ranged from VNĐ1-3 million (US$45-135).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to organize a series of programs introducing culture and arts of localities nationwide at the Hanoi Opera House. The Hue Culture and Tourism Days event is the first among them. — VNS