Nha nhac cung dinh Hue (Hue Royal Court Music) is part of the National Tourism Year for the North Central Coast Area.— VNA/VNS Photo Quoc Viet

THUA TIEN- HUE — The central province of Thua Thien-Hue yesterday launched a year-long series of activities within the National Tourism Year in the North Central Coast Area for 2012.

With the theme "Hue-Old Citadel-New Experience", the programme will incorporate the performance of Hue songs and nha nhac cung dinh Hue (Hue royal court music), which has been recognised as a world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Traditional games, art installations and carnivals will also be held as part of the programme.

Tourists will be welcomed to witness the week-long opening schedule, which includes the Huyen Tran Temple Festival and a ceremony where people pray for the country's prosperity and peace. A film festival and tree planting festival will also be held in the province.

Director of the provincial culture department Phan Tien Dung said there would be 20 major cultural events organised throughout the year, 12 of which would be held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"The National Tourism Year 2012 in the North Central Coast Area is part of the development strategy for tourism in central provinces, which will help promote inter-provincial connections and raise tourism revenue," Dung said.

During the year-long programme, there will also be ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) performances on March 24-25, a cuisine festival between April 30-May 1 and a traditional instruments festival in May.

The 13th annual congress of the League of Historical Cities, which includes 80 cities from 55 nations, will also be held during Hue Festival 2012. — VNS