In 2017, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center developed a plan to open the Imperial City at night with the hope of creating a highlight in the heritage tour in Central Vietnam. The Imperial City at night officially opened from April 22 to September 15, 2017 (from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said: "Opening the Imperial City at night to welcome visitors is to create a new point in the tourism product in Hue, attracting visitors to stay in the ancient capital longer. This is what is lacking in tourism activities in Hue today."
The highlight of the Imperial City at night is the royal palace scene appearing in a different color, sparkling and much more beautiful with the support of lighting effects. According to Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has increased exhibitions at some important highlights, bringing some special art performances to serve tourists. This is a completely different point from the Imperial City during the day.
Coming to the program "The Imperial City at Night", visitors have many opportunities to experience interesting things with Hue heritage. These are unforgettable experiences of the sparkling scenery of the ancient Hue Royal Palace from Ngo Mon, Trung Dao Bridge, Thai Dich Lake to The Mieu, Dien Tho Palace, Truong Sanh Palace... Besides, there are impressive experiences of ancient royal rituals such as the changing of the guard ceremony, grand music performances, small music performances and performing activities such as the Royal Guards practicing martial arts, royal dances, royal music programs and royal games are recreated. In particular, the ticket price to visit the Imperial City at night is the same as the ticket price to visit the Royal Palace during the day (120,000 VND for Vietnamese visitors; 150,000 VND for international visitors).
According to Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center pays great attention to the issue of security and safety for visitors. The Center has also proactively increased its security force and coordinated with security and police forces to ensure the safety not only of visitors but also of valuable assets kept in the Imperial Citadel.
At the Conference, the Organizing Committee introduced the "Golden Tourism Week" stimulus program at Hue Heritage Site, Phase I, 2017 (April 22, 2017 - April 28, 2017). When visiting Hue Heritage Site during this time, visitors will enjoy many attractive incentives. These include 50% discount on tickets to visit the Imperial City at night for visitors who have visited the Imperial City during the day and want to continue visiting the Imperial City at night, 10 - 20% discount on souvenirs and drinks at service businesses in the relic site when bringing a ticket during the Golden Week, 50% discount on tickets to watch royal music performances at Duyet Thi Duong Theater (from 10:00 to 10:40 and 15:00 to 15:40 daily)...
In 2016, the Hue Monuments Complex attracted over 2.5 million international and domestic visitors. The average annual growth rate of tourists visiting the Hue Monuments Complex during the period 1996 - 2012 was 10.73%. In 1996, the number of visitors to Hue Monuments only reached 732 thousand visitors, by 2015, Hue Monuments attractions welcomed over 2.5 million visitors; of which, the number of tourists visiting the Imperial Citadel reached over 1.2 million, accounting for about 50% of the total number of visitors to the Hue Monuments Complex.
Source: Vietnamtourism
