Gastronomes' delight: Vietnamese cuisine is among various features of the Hue Handicrafts Festival to be held in April. — Photo Duc Ha Local food and bonsai will be showcased at the Hue Handicrafts Festival in April as the former royal capital central city strives to consolidate its status as Viet Nam's cultural and festival city.

Traditional art troupes from around the country will perform various cultural and community programmes at the Vietnamese Cuisine in Hue Style.

The emphasis at the festival will be on open-air culinary and theatre activities, including dance and drama shows, and art exhibitions.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Ngo Mon Square and Dai Noi citadel, while the culinary and cultural shows will go on from morning to late night along the Huong River.

Dozens of culinary experts will be invited to whip up traditional dishes from Hue, Ha Noi, and the southern region.

Hue's royal foods will be highlighted by top local chefs at Dai Noi.

Farming associations, handicraft villages, and agricultural businesses from all over the country will display ornamental fishes, bonsai trees, and flowers at Ngo Mon.

There will also be exclusive performances of nha nhac music using the two-chord fiddle, three-chord zither, and bamboo flute.

The genre was recognised as a world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2004.

The organiser, the Hue People's Committee, hopes the Hue Handicraft Festival 2011 – to be celebrated from April 30 to May 3 – will establish the city as a cultural and culinary hub.

It said hotels and guesthouses in Hue are ready to welcome visitors and have promised to keep tariffs unchanged during the event.

Source: VNS