Royal Mid-Autumn Festival held for the first time at Kien Trung Palace courtyard

⏰ Time: 8:00 PM, September 24, 2026

🎯 Location: Kien Trung Palace Courtyard, Hue Imperial Citadel

The Royal Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung thu Hoàng cung) is a recurring cultural event traditionally held in the garden area of the Internal Affairs Department (Phủ Nội Vụ) within the Hue Imperial Citadel, designed to offer children a festive night steeped in traditional culture.

In 2026, to better accommodate growing interest and provide an open setting for more children to participate, the program will be hosted for the first time in the courtyard of Kien Trung Palace—a space rich in historical, architectural, and cultural heritage inside the Imperial City.

Visiting the Royal Mid-Autumn Festival, children will enter a magical Mid-Autumn world filled with vibrant lantern displays and traditional royal games such as Pitch-pot (Đầu hồ), Royal Dice (Xăm hường), and Spinning Top (Bài vụ). Beyond the fun, these activities allow young participants to discover and appreciate the charm of historic Hue culture.

Children playing the traditional royal game Pitch-pot (Đầu hồ) during Royal Night at the Hue Imperial Citadel.

A major highlight of the evening is a special performing arts program built on Hue royal cultural traditions. Featured acts include colorful dances such as Lân mẫu xuất lân nhi (Mother Lion Giving Birth to Baby Lion), the Phoenix Dance, the Five Tigers Dance, and the Horse Dance. These traditional mythical figures, formations, and movements come to life, creating an atmosphere that is both ceremonial and joyous—perfect for young audiences.

Additionally, local children will showcase traditional Ao dai designs from designer Doan Trang's latest collection.

The Royal Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 is more than a night of celebration for children; it is an occasion to honor and carry forward traditional cultural values within a unique heritage setting. Through glowing lanterns, royal games, music, performing arts, and Vietnamese Ao dai, the event creates a memorable journey for today's youth to explore, play, and deepen their connection to their cultural roots.

📍 Event Venue: Kien Trung Palace Courtyard, Hue Imperial Citadel