Authorities in Hue City, the heart of central Vietnam’s Thua Thien-Hue Province, plan to inaugurate a night promenade around the Imperial Citadel on January 1.

At a meeting convened by the Hue City People's Committee on Thursday, officials announced that the Imperial Citadel night street project would open on Le Huan Street and 23 Thang 8 Street, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm every Friday and Saturday during its pilot phase.

The project is expected to meet the needs of both visitors and locals who desire to learn about Hue culture through activities which mimic Nguyen Dynasty festivals and folk art. 

The promenade will also host street festivals, shopping stalls specializing in Hue specialties, community cultural exchanges, and Hue cuisine.

During its first phase, the promenade will open between The Nhon Gate (Ngan Gate) and 23 Thang 8 Street, as well as along the Le Huan route from the Nam Thang Fortress to Yet Kieu Street.

This supplied artist's impression shows Le Huan Street in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam after being renovated to serve as a pedestrian street.

On Le Huan Street, the night-time zone will host 28 stalls and four areas for cultural activities and experiences.

Once it is put into operation in early 2022, the Hue Imperial Citadel night street will host many unique art activities imbued with royal culture and Hue folklore, such as the changing of the guard ceremony at the Meridian Gate, Vietnam's traditional mask dance at Chuong Duc Gate, and the ao dai ngu than (five-piece dress) in Tay Khuyet Dai watchtower.

Hue City officials are now encouraging individuals and organizations to display and sell traditional items, such as lanterns, textiles, Thanh Tien paper flowers, truc chi (bamboo paper) art, lotus products, and traditional handicrafts at commercial venues at the promenade.

In this image, 23 Thang 8 Street in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam is renovated to become a pedestrian street. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

According to Vo Le Nhat, chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, the Imperial Citadel night street zone will be a special pedestrian street because it will not sell alcoholic beverages to visitors.

"We want to create a night-time zone imbued with Hue culture, with the ancient art and culture of Hue's royal court as the focal point," Nhat said.

At the end of the first phase, Hue City officials will consider expanding the promenade to Dang Thai Huan and Doan Thi Diem Streets.

This will be the third night walking street which combines tourism and cultural experiences in Hue City. 

The other two are Nguyen Dinh Chieu pedestrian street and the ‘Western backpacker quarter’ of Chu Van An - Pham Ngu Lao - Vo Thi Sau that runs along the Huong River.

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