Impressed with the carp releasing ceremony at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

In the history of the Vietnamese people, our ancestors have always passed down good customs and practices to maintain the indispensable beauty of the Lunar New Year; among them, we cannot fail to mention the custom of "Sending the old and welcoming the new" - which is to send the old away and welcome the new.

This custom is usually prepared after the Kitchen Gods are sent to heaven. It is the time to clean everything from inside the house to the outside, repaint the house, wipe the tables and chairs, prepare food; throw away all the bad luck, send off the hardships of the old year and make room for the good luck that is coming in the new year.

After a period of research, the Thang Long- Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center coordinated with the Thang Long Cultural Heritage Association to successfully restore this ritual.

The "Farewell to the Old, Welcome to the New" ceremony was solemnly held.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha and delegates offer incense at Kinh Thien Palace

The custom of releasing carp is based on the legend of carp jumping over the Dragon Gate and transforming into a dragon. After the ceremony at Kinh Thien Palace, the carp are released. This custom is meant to pray for the fertility and development of the ancient Vietnamese people.

Procession in traditional costumes of the ao dai and turban

Carp are kept in a brass pot, after the ceremony, they are taken to the ancient river at the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu to be released.

After sending the Kitchen Gods off to heaven, the procession returns to the Doan Mon area to reenact the raising of the Tet pole.

The pole is erected to mark the moment of transition between the old and new year. This custom also means praying for national peace and prosperity and good crops.

During the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, the custom of erecting the pole was held on the 23rd or 25th of December. The pole was erected in front of the Doan Mon gate, usually presided over by the king or only a third-rank mandarin or higher was allowed to preside over the ceremony by royal decree.

This beautiful custom has been restored in recent years and is considered a traditional cultural symbol of Hanoi during the Lunar New Year.

HA (according to Tin Tuc newspaper)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/an-tuong-voi-nghi-le-tha-ca-chep-o-hoang-thanh-thang-long-372257.html