THUA THIEN – HUE  (VNS) — Organisers of the Hue Festival 2014, the bienial cultural event held in the former capital, Hue City, said the festival will feature 40 international art troupes starting from April 12.

According to the Hue Festival Centre, the organisers of the Hue festival, troupes from 31 countries will participate, including France, Brazil, Japan and Palestine. The ASEAN countries will also send art troupes to the event.

The eight-day event will also showcase 20 art troupes from different parts of the country.

The centre has also announced the price of tickets for shows to be held during the festival. Visitors will have to pay VND300,000 each to watch the opening ceremony and the ao dai fashion performance and VND200,000 each for the closing ceremony and the Night at the Royal Palace show. Entry to the other shows will cost about VND100,000.

The royal banquet for the Night at the Royal Palace show is the most expensive, with a price of VND2 million ($95) for a seat to eat a meal cooked according to the royal traditions. Groups of visitors may receive discounted tickets if they plan to watch more than one show.

Local residents have expressed their disappointment about the prices as not many will be able to afford to attend the shows. — VNS