The biennial Hue Festival opened on Saturday night at the citadel's Noon Gate Square with performances from 65 international art troupes from 38 countries and territories from Asia, Europe, America and Africa. The international friends also join 14 troupes from localities within the country in performing for the nine-day event. Reporter Phuoc Buu of Viet Nam News captures the lively atmosphere of the festival's opening ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc deliveres a speech at the ceremony.

Purple is the colour theme of the Hue Festival's opening ceremony.

An art performance showcases Vietnamese conical hats and craft dragon flies.

Vietnamese artists perform Hue royal dance, an unique item of local culture.

Panels show names of the countries that have art troupes participating in the event.

The Hue festival draws the participation of hundreds of foreign journalists from around the world.

Local residents flock to the festival's opening ceremony on Saturday night.