Hue to kick off ‘Golden Tourism Month’ A special tourism promotion program called ‘Golden Tourism Month’ will be organized in Hue from September 2-30, announced by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. The program aims to mark National Day on September 2; the 20th anniversary of recognition of the Hue Monuments by UNESCO; and 10 years since the Royal Court Music of Vietnam was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The event will feature a series of cultural activities in the ancient capital of Hue. -September 2: photo exhibition of Hue in Imperial Citadel. -September 12-20: exhibitions celebrating Hue heritage at Hue Cultural Museum. -September 14-15: ‘Thua Thien-Hue Youth and Cultural Heritage’ featuring activities such as popularizing about environmental sanitation, cleaning-up of historical sites, painting contest honoring cultural heritages. -September 18: exhibition of ceramic products of the Nguyen Dynasty at Hue Royal Antique Museum. -September 19: display of handwritings of Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). -September 20: exhibition of Vietnam’s world heritage sites. -September 21: a meeting on world heritage sites in the country. -September 22: 20th anniversary celebration of recognition of the complex of Hue Monuments by UNESCO. Visitors can enjoy a discount on entrance tickets to monuments, free transit via electric buses, and free Nha Nhac or royal court music performances during the month. Nha Nhac or royal court music of Hue was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2003, and has been named on a 90-strong representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity. Meaning ‘elegant music’, Nha Nhac refers to court music performed at annual ceremonies, anniversaries and religious events, as well as special events such as coronations, funerals or official receptions. Although its roots can be traced to the 13th Century, Nha Nhac reached maturity in the royal place of Hue under the Nguyen Dynasty. The ‘Golden Tourism Month’ will present and promote ancient Hue heritage to tourists, as well as lure more travelers to Hue. During the month, tourists can use one entrance ticket, that they can buy from the Royal Palace, Hieu Lang (Minh Mang) Tomb, and Ung Lang (Khai Dinh) Tomb to enter other monuments in the city. Tourists also get a free electric bus on the Royal Palace - Artefact Museum route. Discounts of 50 per cent will be applied to royal court music performances and 10 per cent for other services like royal costume wear and drink. Groups of 30 or more who arrive at site will be awarded a free presenter. Students enjoy free ticket at any sites. The Hue Monument Conservation Centre will also put collections of royal artifacts on show in several exhibitions to introduce items donated and lent by local collectors. The golden tourism month is among other events celebrating 20 years of world heritage recognition by UNESCO for Hue monuments, according to Phan Thanh Hai, the centre's director. Ngo Hoa, chairman of provincial People's Committee, added that the 19th biggest hotel in Hue pledged discounts of between 30-50 per cent for tourists during the month. Hue planned a golden tourism week in September after a successful golden week held in April. Now it has expanded the week to one month. But experts are wonder about the effectiveness of the month, as local Phu Bai Airport will not reopen until repairs are completed on September 20, near the end of golden month. During early September, tourists will have to reach Hue by bus from neighbouring Da Nang Airport. Source: SGGP/VNS