The night sight-seeing tour “Citadel by night” at the Huế Monuments Conservation Centre will be temporarily stopped due to heavy rain.

An aerial view of the Huế citadel at night. 

Phan Thanh Hải, director of Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, said the programme being held inside the former imperial citadel will be shut down during the rainy season, which is expected to last till February next year.

According to the centre, wet floors will render it unsafe for visitors to wander around at night and continuous rains hinder outdoor activities.

The centre expects the tour to resume at the earliest, depending on when the rains end.

It began in June in an attempt by the centre to bring the citadel out of the shadows and into the limelight, seven decades after the Nguyễn dynasty’s reign ended in 1945.

During the tour, the palace is lit up, turning it into a night attraction, inviting visitors from within and outside the country to admire the impressive structure and get a feel of life during the glory days of the dynasty, with programmes featuring the re-enactment of royal rituals and royal musical performances.

These included a re-enactment of the Royal Patrol, live performances of nhã nhạc (royal court music), and a show featuring local ca Huế singing.

The night shows were appraised as a key factor to awaken sleepy Huế and turn it into a hub of enjoyment. — VNS