Recently, the ancient capital of Hue revived an ancient, majestic and magnificent ceremony right in the center of the Imperial City, the Hue Imperial Citadel. The cannon shooting event attracted a large number of locals and tourists from all over to admire, creating a special moment, connecting the heroic past with the vibrant present.
The resounding explosions tore apart the quiet night as the ancient cannons simultaneously spewed out columns of blazing fire. This image was not only an impressive visual display but also an emotional reenactment of the cannon firing ritual during important ceremonies under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). In the memory of the ancient capital, the sound of cannons was a symbol of strength, prosperity and an indispensable part of solemn royal ceremonies.
The cannons at the Flag Tower perform fire-breathing
According to the official announcement from the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, this meaningful activity will be held periodically at 7:15 pm every Saturday night. This is not only an effort to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, but also a unique tourism product, designed to serve the needs of exploration and experience of local people and tourists. Maintaining this weekly activity promises to bring visitors the opportunity to enjoy a part of Hue culture, no matter what time of year they come.
Lighting up the sky of the ancient capital
The cannon shooting event is considered a special opportunity for the public not only to admire the magical beauty of Hue royal architecture under the sparkling night lights but also to deeply feel the subtle combination of modern light performance art and long-standing traditional cultural values. The sound of gunfire echoes in the ancient space of the Imperial City, blending with the magical light, creating a picture that is both solemn and romantic, evoking indescribable emotions in the hearts of viewers. This activity not only enriches the spiritual and cultural life of local people but also contributes to strongly promoting the cultural heritage of the ancient capital of Hue closer to domestic and foreign tourists, affirming Hue's position on the world cultural tourism map.
This is considered a special opportunity for the public to experience the magical beauty of royal architecture combined with light performance art and traditional art.
Thereby contributing to promoting the cultural heritage of the ancient capital of Hue closer to domestic and foreign tourists.
Within the framework of the Hue Festival 2025 and National Tourism Year 2025, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center also offers many other unique cultural activities, enriching the experience of visitors. One of them is the opening of the Hue Imperial City in the evening, from April 26 to May 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Notably, during this time, visitors will be offered free admission to the Thieu Phuong garden, Co Ha garden and the Interior Palace. This is a great opportunity for visitors to leisurely stroll in the quiet and poetic space of the royal gardens at night, explore the unique architecture and feel the ancient and majestic beauty of the Imperial City from a different perspective.
Many interesting activities are held in the ancient capital as an act of gratitude to visitors from all over the world.
In addition, an equally important cultural event that attracted the attention of researchers and the public who love antiques was the exhibition with the theme "Journey of Vietnamese Ceramics". The exhibition was held from April 26 to July 26 at Kien Trung Palace, a beautiful architectural work with a strong Indochinese style in the heart of the Imperial City. The event gathered the participation of 49 prestigious antique collectors in the country and People's Artisan Tran Do, a famous name of Bat Trang pottery village.
From April 26 to May 1, Hue Imperial City will also open in the evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., for visitors to visit Thieu Phuong garden, Co Ha garden and the Interior Palace for free.
"The Journey of Vietnamese Ceramics" introduces nearly 200 rare and carefully selected Vietnamese ceramic artifacts spanning many historical periods, from prehistoric times to the 10th century with typical artifacts of Sa Huynh and Oc Eo ceramics... These relics not only have great archaeological value but also reflect the cultural and economic life and artistic level of ancient civilizations in Vietnam.
Through the exhibition "Vietnamese Ceramic Journey", the public has the opportunity to admire a panoramic picture of the formation and development of Vietnamese ceramics through historical periods. Each artifact on display is not only a unique work of art but also a historical witness, telling the story of creativity, talent and cultural identity of the Vietnamese people. The combination of traditional ritualistic cannon shooting activities and rich ancient ceramic exhibitions has created a diverse and attractive cultural space in the ancient capital of Hue during the Hue Festival 2025 and National Tourism Year 2025, promising to bring memorable experiences to all visitors.

































