Brushes, ink stones and centuries of tradition have taken over a corner of Huế Imperial Citadel. The first Việt Nam Calligraphy Festival opened on October 22 at the Cổ Mật Viên relic site, inside the citadel grounds, as part of the wider Huế Festival 2026 programme. It runs until October 26.

The scale is bigger than the word 'festival' might suggest: more than 100 exhibition booths have brought together calligraphy clubs from across the country, plus artisans, culture researchers, businesses and representatives of traditional craft villages. Organisers — the Huế Monuments Conservation Centre, the Việt Nam Association of Artisans and Brands and FTP Exhibition and Communications JSC — have packed the schedule with exhibitions, discussions and hands-on sessions rather than passive displays.

One date stands out for travellers: October 24, when students, young people and visitors get to try traditional calligraphy themselves, from grinding and preparing ink to holding the brush and practising basic strokes. Even if you miss that session, the festival is open to the public throughout its run, and artisans are on hand to talk through their craft.

The event deliberately spans both Hán-Nôm (classical Chinese-character) calligraphy and calligraphy written in the Vietnamese alphabet, reflecting a tradition tied to the country's deep respect for learning. Organisers hope the festival becomes a fixture of Huế's 2026 year-end celebrations, and calligraphy auctions during the event will raise money for heritage preservation and charitable causes.

There's more than ink on offer. A dedicated space showcases traditional handicrafts and Huế cuisine, giving visitors a one-stop introduction to the city's food and craft heritage. Huế's imperial dishes — from bún bò Huế to delicate royal-style offerings — are reason enough to visit, and pairing them with a wander through the citadel's UNESCO-listed grounds makes an easy, rewarding half-day.

For travellers, this is a rare chance to see a living art form up close rather than behind museum glass. Calligraphy has long been part of Vietnamese festivals, especially around Lunar New Year, when people queue for lucky words written by master calligraphers. Watching a craftsman lay down a perfect stroke, then trying it yourself, gives you a much better feel for the skill involved — and a story to take home.

Huế itself suits slow travellers. The former imperial capital is compact enough to explore on foot or by bicycle, with the Perfume River, royal tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda all within easy reach. The citadel is best visited in the cooler morning hours, and entry tickets cover the main enclosures, so a festival visit can fold neatly into a standard citadel itinerary.

If you're planning a Vietnam trip around late October, Huế is a smart pick this year: the festival adds a cultural layer on top of the city's usual draws, and the hands-on calligraphy sessions are exactly the kind of experience that doesn't cost much but stays with you. — Vietnam News Life