Taking the sparkling path between two rows of imperial maids from Ngo Mon to Thai Hoa Palace, the Salutation Court will be the place of Asian costumes in different styles of Japan, Korea, Mongolia, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Phillipinnes and Vietnam. Behind Thai Hoa Palace, the art of royal cuisine with a variety of foods will be introduced in a royal banquet on the courtyard that is accompanied by art performances and imperial fashion show. The performance of “Imperial maid’s memory” will take place at the area of Can Thanh Palace and long corridor. Many popular activities of imperial maids such as making embroidery, composing poem, writing, sewing, etc. will be rehabiliated in the atmosphere of historical relics and the apperance of imperial eunuchs. Nearby this place, the royal game “Tou-ho” is presented to show an aspect of life in imperial city. In Eastern area, on the foundation of Nhat Thanh pavilion’s relic will be the place of the installation art of Masks for Tuong performance and the royal dance “Trinh tuong tap khanh”. A 29-photo collection of famous photographer Dao Hoa Nu presenting the “Typical features of Hue” will be displayed along the long corridor connecting to Duyet Thi Duong Theatre. In the opposite direction, 60 photos of Japanese photographer Teruyo Iwahori will bring to us the beauty of Vietnamese people and country viewed from different angles.
The space of royal garden Co Ha and the exhibition of topiary art accompanied with Hue chamber music performing and poem reciting in three traditional-styled buildings are among newly-rehabilitated aspects of Hue royal culture. At the end of central axis from Ngo Mon, the three-instrument performance in the two octagonal small pavilions and “Nine kylins tracing to a gem” dance on the foundation relic of Kien Trung Palace will be the highlight activity in this area. In the Western area of Imperial City, a space for commemoration of Nguyen kings will be arranged in front of The Mieu temple. In Dien Tho Residence, “Viet timbre” program is in the expectation of many people who love Vietnamese traditional music and famous singers. Especially, an imperial wedding of Nguyen’s princess will be displayed in form of the performance art at Truong Sanh Residence. The royal procession of this wedding will move from Truong Sanh Residence to Duyet Thi Duong Theatre and take the same way back. In the wedding, many kinds of Hue cakes and tea will be served in the royal style. To end the trip in Imperial City, visitors can take a place at Phu Noi Vu (near the left-sided Hien Nhon Gate) for resting and enjoy the abundance of Hue specialities. The Royal Palace by Night 2012 also opens a new scene of the “Guard shifting” that used to be an important activity to protect the solemnity of royal palaces. A group of 20 imperial guardians will depart from Hien Nhon Gate (the eastern gate of the Imperial City, left side facing to the main gate at the south) to Ngo Mon and go into the Imperial City to finish the full route. Together with the royal princess’s wedding, it is expected to enrich the uniqueness of Royal Palace by Night in Hue.