As many as 21 countries have registered to take part in Hue Festival 2008, an increase of 10 countries compared to the festival two years ago, according to the event organizers.


Besides France, China, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Germany, this year’s festival will see the first-ever participation of the United States, Spain, Belgium, Israel, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Romania.

The festival has received much financial support from domestic and foreign businesses. France pledged US$30,000 to train technicians for cultural festivals. The Ford Foundation agreed to provide US$100,000 to finance art performances and increase the capacity building for Hue Festival Centre through research, collection and restoration of royal and traditional rituals.

Other financial commitments include US$130,000 from Hue Beer Company, US$100,000 from Saigon Investment Group, US$51,000 from the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam, Thua Thien-Hue branch, and US$40,000 from the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group.

During the festival, a cultural, tourism, trade and investment exhibition will be held with the participation of reputable domestic and foreign businesses, showcasing various kinds of high quality products.

The week long festival is scheduled to begin on June 3 at Ngo Mon (Noon) Square on the theme of “Cultural Heritage with Integration and Development”. The event aims to enhance the unique cultural values of Vietnam and the former imperial city of Hue.