The Hue Lotus Festival offered residents and visitors a variety of cultural, art, and culinary experiences amid the summer lotus landscape of the former imperial capital. Inspired by the image of the “royal lotus” in the court culture of the Nguyen Dynasty, the event was conceived as a celebration of the beauty of the lotus flowers blooming on Tinh Tam lake, a popular scenic spot at the Hue Imperial Citadel.
A highlight of the festival was the art and cuisine space where the audience enjoy royal performances and lotus-inspired cuisine.
In recent years, lotus flowers, a symbol of Hue and royal culture, have inspired experiential tourism, handicrafts, and wellness and healing products like lotus tea and lotus essential oil.
Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the Hue Department of Tourism, said: “This year’s Hue Lotus Festival features many new activities, including workshops showcasing products made from lotus flowers. Visitors can make lotus-paper flowers, prepare lotus tea, and do other lotus-related activities. The Fine Dining night combines art performances, lighting and sound effects, and cultural presentations, honoring Hue’s lotus and cuisine.”
Visitors attended lotus tea-scenting workshops and tea-tasting sessions, made paper lotus flowers and lotus essential oil, and wandered among displays of local specialties, handicrafts, and lotus-themed souvenirs.
Building on the event’s success and a positive response from visitors, Hue city aims to make the Lotus Festival a regular cultural activity and a signature cultural tourism product of Hue.
