Hue opens Imperial Citadel night street

A nighttime street zone around the Imperial Citadel of Hue, a UNESCO heritage site, was officially open on Friday evening.

The zone includes Le Huan and August 23 streets and links to areas like Tinh Tam Lake-Hoc Hai Lake, Tang Tho Lau (Library), Tran Binh Dai-Mang Ca military zone, Ngu Ha River, and the Thuong Thanh-Eo Bau area.

Thousands of locals and tourists visited the zone on the first night. The city collaborated with Hue Monuments Conservation Center to organize some performances that offered tourists an opportunity to immerse themselves in the royal atmosphere of Hue, including the historic Nguyen Dynasty's Guard Change Ceremony and music.

A variety of kiosks introducing traditional products and local specialties were set up across the zone.

The zone will open on weekends from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., following multiple postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Beer and alcohol are not permitted to be sold here.

The provincial People's Committee tasked relevant agencies to install lighting systems and renovate areas around the Imperial Citadel, and coordinate with Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and Hue Royal Traditional Art Theater to organize art performances.

After the Nguyen Dinh Chieu lines along Perfume River and the West street at Vo Thi Sau, Chu Van An, and Pham Ngu Lao streets, this is Hue City's third pedestrian zone.

Hue has a character for being sluggish, if not downright gloomy. The new tourist product is expected to help revitalize its tourism sector, which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years.