Heritage items recognised by UNESCO will be highlighted at the biennial Hue Festival of which the next edition is set to take place from April 24 to May 2, 2018, according to tentative programming announced by the local government.

Items to be featured include the Hue monument complex, Hue royal music, woodblocks and royal administrative documents of the Nguyen Dynasty and literature on Hue royal architecture, which was included in the Memory of the World in 2016.

In recent years, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has organised a wide range of activities to promote heritage items such as holding re-enactments of the changing of the guards, royal weddings and games played by royal members during the Lunar New Year.

Notably, the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre has re-opened with four shows a day to bring ceremonial music and imperial dances to visitors and the public.

The Hue Festival 2018 will include other activities such as a hot-air balloon show, kite flying, boat racing and traditional local festivals across the former imperial capital.

Like previous years, the event will also see the participation of famous art troupes from both at home and abroad, offering diverse and colourful arts programmes.