On the afternoon of February 1st, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center (Vinh Loc) organized a ceremony to raise the ceremonial pole and release the "Ông Công" fish, along with a heritage education program – a "Golden Bell Ringing" quiz with the theme "Echoes of the Ancient Capital". This marked the beginning of a series of events and programs to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2024 at the Ho Dynasty Citadel. The program attracted the participation of over 1,000 students from the heritage area and a large number of local people and tourists from all over.
The ritual of carrying the ceremonial pole takes place in the courtyard of the exhibition house to the ceremonial gate (South Gate) of Ho Dynasty Citadel.
Erecting the New Year's pole is a traditional custom of the Vietnamese people. The ceremony of erecting the pole signals the beginning of a new year, usually on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, after the Kitchen God and Stove God festival. The taking down of the pole also marks the time when farmers begin plowing and planting on the 7th day of the 1st lunar month. The pole-erecting ceremony is an indispensable ritual during the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. When the pole is erected, it signals the official start of the New Year.
The ceremonial team performs the ritual at the site where the ceremonial pole is erected.
During the Vietnamese monarchical dynasties, the custom of erecting the New Year's pole was incorporated into the Imperial Palace and used as a custom and official practice of the court. The pole-raising ceremony announced the arrival of the New Year, and the court would temporarily cease all activities to focus on celebrating the holiday. At the same time, the pole-raising ceremony also expressed the hope for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, flourishing nature, and a happy and prosperous people.
Nguyen Ba Linh, Director of the Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, performs the incense offering ritual.
Releasing carp on the Tet Ong Cong, Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival is not only a beautiful cultural tradition passed down from our ancestors, but also reflects the humanity and harmonious relationship with nature of the Vietnamese people. The Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center performs this ritual of releasing carp within the citadel to summarize a year of successful activities and positive results in the conservation and promotion of the Ho Citadel Heritage, and to wish the best for the people and the land that was once the capital of the Ho Dynasty in historical records.
The ceremonial pole is erected at the ceremonial gate within the grounds of Ho Dynasty Citadel.
Through these activities, we contribute to promoting the outstanding global value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site to the people and tourists, based on the unique cultural characteristics of the people and the land of the ancient capital of the Ho Dynasty.
Overview of the Golden Bell Ringing Contest
The heritage education program – "Ringing the Golden Bell" with the theme "Echoes of the Ancient Capital," held at the South Gate of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site, attracted 50 contestants from Vinh Loc High School. The contestants answered questions revolving around the heritage of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, its history, culture, and society. This program, "Ringing the Golden Bell," is also part of the heritage education program " Ho Dynasty Citadel – Heritage for the Future," implemented by the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center.
Nguyen Ba Linh, Director of the Ho Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, delivered the opening remarks for the competition.
The competition serves as a valuable platform, contributing to the provision of historical and cultural knowledge about the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site. Simultaneously, it promotes the positive, dynamic, and creative spirit of young students in guiding them towards a beautiful lifestyle, fostering respect for, preservation, and promotion of the nation's cultural identity. This, in turn, diversifies cultural heritage education activities, spreading awareness and creating sustainable vitality for the heritage within the community.
The contestants participating in the competition
Also as part of this program, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with Vinh Loc High School, organized an awards ceremony for the video contest introducing the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage with the theme "The Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage in My Heart".
Nguyen Dat
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