Hanoi (VNA) - In 2025, Vietnam's tourism spotlight will shine brightly on Hue, the former imperial capital, as it hosts the Visit Vietnam Year and Hue Festival.
These events are poised to rejuvenate the city's cultural heritage and position it as a premier destination for both domestic and international travelers.
Under the theme "Hue - Ancient Capital, New Opportunity," the Visit Vietnam Year 2025 will unfold through four seasonal festivals, including the spring festival entitled "Ancient Capital Spring"; the summer festival, "Radiant Citadel", the autumn festival, "Hue in Autumn" and the winter festival, "Hue's Winter".
These festivals aim to provide year-round attractions, ensuring that the locality remains a vibrant cultural hub throughout 2025.
The Hue city People's Committee, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, has been meticulously planning for these events. Efforts include finalising scripts, designing stages, organising logistics, and enhancing promotional activities to ensure the success of the Visit Vietnam Year.
A total of 170 activities are slated for the year, encompassing eight initiatives led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Forty-six events will be organised at inter-provincial, national and international levels. As many as 102 cultural, sports, and tourism activities are to be hosted by 29 provinces and centrally governed cities, all in support of the Visit Vietnam Year 2025.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 25 along the banks of the Huong River. This event will feature a semi-realistic stage set on both water and land and will be broadcast live on VTV1.
In addition to the main festivals, a variety of supporting activities are planned, such as cultural and tourism festivals introducing Vietnamese tourism, cuisine, and traditional crafts; and events aimed at connecting businesses in European markets. Others include an international conference on cultural industries, culinary festivals, famtrips, a national conference on net zero tourism, and an exhibition featuring Vietnam’s tourism spaces, cultural heritages and landscapes in 2025.
Through these extensive activities, Hue aims to attract approximately 4.8-5 million visitors in 2025, with international tourists accounting for as much as 40% of the total. Tourism revenue is estimated at 11.2 trillion VND (439 million USD). These ambitious targets are set to create a breakthrough for Hue's tourism, leveraging its historical legacy to seize new opportunities in the nation's evolving landscape.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hue city People's Committee, emphasised the thorough preparations, noting that the opening ceremony’s programme is heavily invested to reflect the cultural essence of the ancient capital.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong highlighted the importance of translating the brand identity into promotional products. He also stressed the need to seize the opportunity presented by the Visit Vietnam Year 2025 to connect businesses and foster tourism development. Relevant units are encouraged to coordinate with the Hue city People's Committee and departments to ensure the successful organisation of events and programmes.
The Visit Vietnam Year and Hue Festival 2025 are not only cultural and tourism events on a national and international scale, but also mark significant milestones including the 50th anniversary of Hue's liberation.
These events are designed to promote Hue’s tangible and intangible cultural values. By tapping into these treasured assets, the city wants to attract more domestic and international tourists, and contribute to socio-economic development.
In 2025, Hue stands on the cusp of a transformative year, ready to showcase its rich heritage and embrace new opportunities, while honouring its historical legacy./.
