On February 10th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs /Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, in coordination with the Hanoi People's Committee, organized the "Vietnam Discovery Day 2026: Traditional Court Rituals 'Farewell to the Old Year, Welcome to the New Year'" program at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center in Hanoi.
This year's event attracted over 300 domestic and international delegates, including nearly 100 members of the diplomatic corps from 45 representative offices, including 27 Ambassadors, Chargé d'affaires, Heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Hanoi, along with over 200 delegates including current and former leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, experts, researchers, scientists and representatives of departments and agencies of Hanoi city.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, emphasized that the Lunar New Year is a sacred time, a symbol of reunion, gratitude, and faith in the future. Traditional rituals preserved through generations not only reflect the depth of culture but also express shared human values cherished by peoples around the world: peace, solidarity, and the aspiration for sustainable development.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that the selection of Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – signifies a connection between the past and the present, between tradition and integration. The central area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel has been the successive center of power in Vietnam for over a thousand years, a sacred heritage site, a symbol of the Vietnamese nation, and the crystallization of the spiritual values of nation-building and national defense. UNESCO considers the preservation and promotion of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel World Heritage Site as a prime example of global cooperation between UNESCO and its member states.
Emphasizing that the "Vietnam Awareness Day 2026" program is the opening activity in a series of events commemorating 50 years of Vietnam-UNESCO relations (1976-2026), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the international community, always ready to contribute to common efforts for peace, dialogue, and sustainable development.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van expressed his hope that through this program, international friends would not only have the opportunity to learn about the traditional rituals and cultural space of Tet in Vietnam, but also to experience a friendly, open, and culturally rich Vietnam – where tradition and modernity coexist, and culture becomes the foundation for cooperation and development.
On behalf of the Hanoi People's Committee, Vice Chairman Vu Thu Ha emphasized that organizing traditional ceremonies reenacted in the imperial court demonstrates Hanoi's determination to preserve and promote the nation's fine values, while also promoting the image of the capital city as "Cultural - Identity - Creativity". The Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee affirmed that strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee, along with the advice of scientists and the support of international friends, has helped the cultural values of Thang Long - Hanoi to continuously shine, becoming a strong bridge of friendship between Vietnam and international friends.
Speaking on behalf of the international delegates attending the event, Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, said that UNESCO always appreciates initiatives that allow heritage to be experienced vividly and accessible to the public, affirming that the program is proof that intangible cultural heritage has, always has, and will continue to exist and develop; always closely linked to modern urban life.
The Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam acknowledged the dedication and support of partners in creating cultural experiences for delegates attending the event, demonstrating effective and responsible cooperation between the public sector, cultural organizations, and private partners in Vietnam.
Attending the Vietnam Discovery Day 2026 program: Traditional Court Rituals “Farewell to the Old Year, Welcome to the New Year,” delegates will directly experience the rituals of the Lunar New Year that once took place in the ancient Thang Long imperial court, expressing the wish for national prosperity and peace and well-being for the people. These include: the Calendar Offering ceremony; the ceremony of worshipping the Kitchen God and releasing carp to send them to Heaven; the ceremony of erecting the New Year's pole; the changing of the guard ceremony; and a visit to the Tet flower street called “Sunrise of Aspiration” – an outdoor installation organized with a contemporary cultural and artistic approach.
The Vietnam Discovery Day 2026 program: Traditional court rituals "Farewell to the Old Year, Welcome to the New Year" not only contributes to spreading the values of the traditional Tet holiday and promoting the image of a Vietnam rich in identity, friendly, and open to international friends, but also affirms the role of culture as a bridge to promote dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable development.
Source: https://cand.com.vn/Chuyen-dong-van-hoa/khai-mac-chuong-trinh-ngay-tim-hieu-viet-nam-2026-i796766/
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