A replica of a royal boat used by the Nguyen dynasty last century has been built to carry tourists during the upcoming Festival Hue 2008.

The Hue Centre for Monument Conservation ordered the vessel to be built as a model of the Yen Nhu, which was used during the 1802-1945 dynasty.

The 27m long and 7.2 m wide wooden boat was built by a shipyard in Nghe An province at a cost of VND 3.5 billion.

The boat can carry 120 passengers at a time, including 60 people in a 70 sq.m hall that will serve specialty Hue cuisine and play Hue Royal music.

The boat also features a traditional music auditorium, a kitchen, crew cabins and toilets that meet environmental and sanitation standards.

During the Hue Festival 2008, the new vessel and 20 dragon boats will take part in a performance recalling a trip of the King on the Huong river in the Nguyen dynasty. (VNA)