Many tourists are keen to visit the Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge on the outskirts of Hue. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

THUA THIEN - HUE (VNS) — Hue is offering visitors several entertainment choices, ranging from the traditional arts and crafts to royal games and musical performances during the first four days of the Lunar New Year.

At the former royal city's Thuong Bac park, the local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is hosting a game of co nguoi, which is based on the rules of Chinese chess. The difference is that instead of 32 chess pieces, there will be 32 people.

Cock fighting, a game typically seen as rural entertainment in the past, is also set to attract large audiences thanks to the exciting fights between the cocks that were raised for this event.

Kites flying in the sky at around sunset in Hue. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Later in the afternoon, a kite flying event is likely to trigger memories of childhood among the onlookers as they enjoy a visual feast of kites in the shape of colourful birds, fish and butterflies swaying in the light breeze.

Inside the former Royal Citadel, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre is organising games in which the royal family members used to participate in the past. While the games are interesting, visitors will require instructions on how to play them.

A game of bai choi in the Thanh Thuy Chanh village attracts visitors to the outskirts of Hue. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

In the daytime, the centre also offers visitors performances of unicorn dances and amusing ca Hue music, a typical art form in the former capital city.

Far from the city of about 10km, a market that resembles a traditional rural market of the past will also vie for the attention of tourists and other visitors.

The market is held at the Thanh Thuy Chanh village, where the Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge, a sister of the Japanese bridge in the Hoi An Ancient Town, is located.

The village is just a short bicycle ride away from the city. Foreign visitors will be able to enjoy the beauty of the bridge, participate in the bai choi game held every day and breathe the fresh country air as they pass the paddy fields along the way. — VNS