The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has readied itself for the Festival Hue 2008, a biannual event of art, culture, and tourism scheduled to take place in the former imperial city from June 3 to 11, the organizer said.
Ngo Hoa, head of the Festival Hue organizing committee, told the Daily on Saturday that the committee has almost finished all preparations for the festival one month before the opening ceremony kicks off, including promotion, tourist accommodation and transportation, and detailed programs.
"We're ready. This afternoon, the International Sculpture Camp will open as a prelude to the festival with the participation of 26 sculptors from 16 countries," he said.
He said that up to now the committee has received VND10bil in cash and worth of services from sponsors, which is twice that of the last festival in 2006.
"We are pleased with the good result on calling sponsors for the festival. It was the biggest sponsorship since the first festival," Hoa said.
Festival Hue 2008 will include many art performances by artists from 18 countries that are reminiscent of special events that took place in the former capital. There will also be other royal festivals, fashion shows, folk games, and others.
The art programs will take place every night in An Dinh Palace and Dai Noi (Royal Palace), and other squares in Hue city while the neighboring districts will organize new tours and programs for tourists.
The opening ceremony will take place on the night of June 3 in Ngo Mon, or the Noon Gate, while the closing ceremony will take place on the Huong River on June 11.
As usual, the festival will feature programs that require tickets and programs, open free for the public.
Hoa said that the organizing committee has cut deals with Vietnam airlines and the Vietnam Railway Corporation to increased more flights and Trains to Hue during the festival.
"The railway corporation has pledged that it will also discount 20% of ticket prices for tourists to Hue by train," Hoa said.
Regarding accommodation for tourists, he said that the province would have enough rooms for visitors. Thua Thien-Hue has 36 one to five-star hotels with over 4,800 rooms, plus many guess houses, while residents will also offer their houses for tourists to stay during the festival.
Hoa added that hundreds of rooms will also be available for the festival.
"Up to 600 hotel rooms are under construction and will be put in services in the festival. We believe that we can provide enough rooms for tourists," he said.
According to Hoa, the committee expects the festival will attract 100,000 international visitors, doubling the figure at the Festival Hue 2004.
Since 2000, Thua Thien-Hue Province has organized Festival Hue every two years as a big tourism festival of the province as well as the country. Around 150,000 locals and foreigners arrived for the festival in 2004.
(Source: SGT)
Tag: Festival , Tourist , Vietnam , Tourism , Hue , Festival Hue , Tour , Sculpture , Culture , Vietnam Airlines , Airlines , Hotel , Foreigners , Flight , Train , Sculptors , An Dinh Palace Hue ready for festival in June, says official ; An Dinh Palace
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