HÀ NỘI — The former imperial city of Huế’s music, handicrafts, cuisine and tourism will be on display during a programme taking place on December 13-16 at the Hà Nội Opera House.

The event will highlight culture and promote tourism in the city in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế, said Nguyễn Dung, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

“The Huế Culture and Tourism Days in Hà Nội aim to honour the uniqueness of Huế culture and introduce the city’s tourism potential,” said Dung.

“It’s a chance to present Huế’s image and products to Hanoians as well as international tourists.”

Highlights of Huế cuisine will be introduced including bún bò Huế (a fragrant beef soup, with fresh rice vermicelli noodles), chả giò (spring rolls), cơm hến (rice served with little clams), and various kinds of Huế cakes and chè Huế (sweet puddings).

The food will be cooked by leading chefs and served at 12 traditional wooden houses brought from Huế to Hà Nội with aim to bring customers a feeling of dishes in Huế. The culinary booths will be open all day to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner for eaters.

During the four-day event, handicrafts like lanterns, kites, flutes and specialities of Huế including mắm tôm chua ( fermented sour shrimp paste), mè xửng (sweet candy made of malt, sesame and peanuts) will be introduced.

Huế folk songs and lyrical melodies will be performed at a special concert entitled "Winter in Huế" on December 14-16.

"While nhã nhạc (royal court music) recognised in 2003 by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has been performed and introduced widely at home and abroad, folk music of Huế hasn’t received its due attention," said Nguyễn Việt Đức, director of Huế Music Academy.

“That’s why we choose folk music and lyrical songs written by famous composers Trịnh Công Sơn, Nguyễn Văn Thương and Trần Hoàn from 1950s to present to Hà Nội’s audience,” he said.

The tickets of Winter in Huế concert is ranged from VNĐ1-3 million (US$45-135).

The Minstry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to organise a series of programmes introducing culture and arts of localities nationwide at the Hà Nội Opera House. The Huế Culture and Tourism Days event is the first among them. — VNS