The show depicts the glorious history of Vietnam during the nineteenth century, using Hue's royal and traditional art spotlight the construction of the nation’s capital, the protection of the country's sovereignty, integrity and a peaceful life for people with values created by a civilized, independent nation throughout its course of history.
Royal Hue’s Essence will be "told" in a chain of historical events that highlight the five UNESCO-recognized world cultural heritages, which are the Complex of Hue Monuments, Royal Court Music, Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty, Imperial Archives of the Nguyen Dynasty and Literature on Hue royal architectureal works. The 80-minute program is structured into 3 chapters, each consists of several episodes, with 12 acts of specific topics and contents.
 
Chapter 1: Unification of the nation, this features the unification process of the nation and its reachreclaimation of country’s territory, by the imperial court and the people of Vietnam under the leadership of the Nguyen’s emperors.
In 1802, Emperor Gia Long chose Phu Xuan as the capital of the nation and founded the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1804, the nation was named Viet Nam. The country then entered a new era of construction and development on a higher level.
As the nation prospered and developed, the construction of Phu Xuan as the capital city also began. A series of architectural works was built and consolidated under the emperors of Nguyen Dynasty to serve the imperial administration and the royalties.
Several imperial orders to conduct nautical survey and measurement of the Paracel Islands were given to the navy and the Paracel Navy Task Force in order to establish sovereignty over the islands. The echoes of sea waves from the islands remind all generations about the sacred sovereignty of the nation. All emperors paid attention to strengthening military potential and improving the army. Armed forces such as infantry, navy, elephantry, cavalry, artillery, royal guard etc. engaged in regular trainings and manoeuvres to be ready for the defence duty.
The chapter consists of episodes such as Unification of the nation, Building the Imperial Capital, Sovereignty over the sea and islands, Improvement of the army.
 

 

Chapter 2: A peaceful nation, tells about the period wheren the country achieved political and economic stability, consists of the following acts: A turn for peace, A good omen, Abundant harvest, Spring brings happiness. The nation was consolidated, the country entered a new era of peace with new opportunities.
Legend has it that, every time a Phoenix lands on a parasol tree, it brings peace and prosperity to the country, which is considered the harmony of yin and yang, the earth and universe. Living in a unified country, people enjoyed peace, happiness and prosperity.
 
Chapter 3: A thousand-year civilization concludes the show with following episodes: Improving national education, An everlasting treasure, Convergence of talents, A thousand-year civilization. This expresses the development of national education, training of talents of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hundreds of key decisions for education development (shown in the Imperial Archives) were made. Ten thousands of woodblocks were crafted and carved for printing and editing books serving the course of national education. Royal Court Examinations were reopened. The number of books printed during the Nguyen Dynasty surpasseds the total number of books printed by all previous dynasties. With the country’s unification and peace achieved, the Nguyen dynasty was constantly improving national education and training of talents. This triggered the preservation of masterpiece for later generations, and built up the talent pool necessary for the prosperity of the civilization.
In order to raise the nation's spirit, exalt patriotism and promote the country's position, in 1835, Emperor Minh Mang ordered to cast nine dynastic urns, as symbols of national prosperity and power of the emperor.
 
The three-chapter show features epical nature which is linked together by using concurrence technique. It highlights the heritage properties that have been developed throughout the course of history. The event will take place at the stage of Can Chanh Palace on the nights of April 28 and 30, 2018. This is undoubtedly an interesting and impressive event among other art performances during Hue Festival 2018./.