On 25-26/4, videos capturing streams of people moving into Ngo Mon gate and the main roads of Hue city center became a focal point on social media platforms. One TikTok clip by user Quynh Nga garnered over 60,000 views within hours of posting, accompanied by thousands of comments.
On travel forums, many tourists expressed surprise at the density of people converging on Hue during this year's Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday. Comments like "meeting acquaintances from Hanoi right in the ancient capital" or observations that "half of the country's tourists are gathering at the Imperial Citadel" became popular discussion topics.
The crowded scenes originated from the opening ceremony of the "Hoang Cung Huyen Ao" (Mystical Imperial Palace) program, which took place at 8 p.m. on 25/4 at Dai Noi Hue. This activity is part of the Summer Festival, a component of Festival Hue 2026, coinciding with the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday. The influx of people into the Imperial Citadel was due to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center's policy of free entry between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. each night from 25/4 to 28/4.
A sea of people poured into Dai Noi Hue on the evening of 25/4. *Sources: Kieu Oanh Tran, Quynh Nga*
Linh, a resident of Hue city, stated that the number of visitors flocking to the Imperial Citadel area on the night of 25/4 was unusually high compared to typical weekends.
"My daily walking route around the Imperial City had to change due to the extremely dense crowds; there were more people than even on New Year's Eve," Linh said.
By the evening of 26/4, localized traffic congestion continued on roads leading into the city center. Thanh Nam, a local resident, reported that traffic around the main gates and streets surrounding the Imperial Citadel became gridlocked due to the massive number of vehicles arriving for the festival.
Despite the large crowds, security and order were maintained. Minh Trang, a tourist present at Dai Noi on the evening of 25/4, noted that while the crowds were dense, there was no pushing, shoving, or loss of control.
"The weather in Hue at this time is cool, which is favorable for outdoor sightseeing," Trang said, adding that the throngs of people created a vibrant festival atmosphere.
The "Hoang Cung Huyen Ao" program features the re-creation of imperial spaces through artistic lighting systems and unique performance programs. According to the Organizing Committee, offering free night entry is a new approach to allow residents and tourists easier access to cultural heritage values. This is considered a distinctive cultural tourism product aimed at stimulating the ancient capital's night economy.
The Mystical Imperial Palace night at Dai Noi Hue. *Video: Vo Thanh*
The appeal of the "Hoang Cung Huyen Ao" program, along with other activities within Festival Hue 2026 coinciding with the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday, placed significant pressure on local accommodation services. A survey revealed that many lodging facilities, from hotels to homestays in Hue city center, were fully booked one month in advance.
Thanh Trung, a tourist from Hanoi, mentioned that his plans to visit Hue during the 30/4 holiday had to change.
"I contacted about 10 accommodation facilities a week beforehand, but all reported being fully booked, forcing me to cancel my plans," Trung shared.
In addition to Dai Noi, other historical sites like An Dinh Palace also saw large numbers of visitors and photographers. Tuan Dao, a tourist from Hanoi who arrived on 25/4, expressed surprise at the sight of many "muses" (young women dressed in traditional attire) gathered at An Dinh Palace for photos.
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Tourists posing for photos at An Dinh Palace. *Photo: NVCC*
Information from the Department of Tourism indicates that the total number of tourists to Hue city during this year's Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday is estimated to reach over 310,000 visits, an increase of three times compared to the 2025 Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday (109,000 visits). Revenue from tourism activities during this period is estimated at 760 billion VND.
Mai Phuong
