The once-a-year event brings to life centuries-old rituals and celebrates the Lunar New Year with prayers for national prosperity, peace, and the well-being of the Vietnamese people.
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| Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Vu Thu Ha, attends the ceremony. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times |
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| She offers incense to the ancestors and kings of Vietnam at this historic site. |
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| The program revives the time-honored customs of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and invites visitors to experience the enchanting atmosphere of Tet preparations. |
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| The ceremony’s centerpiece is the Tien Lich (Calendar Offering) ritual. |
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| The centerpiece is the "calendar" - a revered object that symbolizes the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the seasons. |
| The Ong Cong Ong Tao or Kitchen God Farewell Ritual, which involves the release of carp, also plays an important role in the celebration.
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| According to legend, the Kitchen Gods ride the carp to the heavens, where they report on the year's events to the Celestial King. |
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| Deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, this custom represents hope for a prosperous year. |
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| After the Kitchen Gods worship ceremony, a vibrant gathering takes place at the Doan Mon (South Gate) where the Cay Neu (Tet tree) is erected. |
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| This towering bamboo pole, adorned with offerings, is believed to bring good fortune, peace, and a bountiful harvest for the year ahead. |
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| Foreign visitors witness the grand spectacle of the beauty of the Tong Cuu Nghenh Tan ceremony. |
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| Earthen figures are hung from the top of the Neu tree so that when the wind blows, symbolizing the exorcism of demons. |
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| The festivities will continue throughout the Lunar New Year season with a series of cultural programs. |
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