The flag-raising ceremony at a 600-year-old world heritage site in Thanh Hoa

(NLĐO) - At the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site, the organizing committee recently held the "Thuong Neu" ceremony - an ancient ritual to welcome the Year of the Horse 2026.

On the afternoon of February 9th (the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month), at the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site in Tay Do commune, Thanh Hoa province, the "Thuong Nue" ceremony was held – a royal court custom of the Ho Dynasty to welcome the Year of the Horse 2026.

The flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site welcomes the Year of the Horse 2026.

This traditional ceremony signifies the official start of the Lunar New Year and conveys the hope for a new year of national peace and prosperity, and favorable weather.

According to Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Ho Citadel Heritage and Key Relics of Thanh Hoa Province, folk beliefs and the regulations of the Ho Dynasty, the ceremonial pole consists of two types: the national pole and the private pole.

"The erection of the ceremonial pole in the ancient imperial palace was not only a religious ritual but also symbolized divine protection, warding off evil, and welcoming new vitality, awakening the cultural essence of Tay Do and creating a vibrant and sacred atmosphere," Mr. Huu Anh informed.

The ceremony of raising the banner expresses the wish for peace and prosperity for the nation and its people.

According to Mr. Huu Anh, in addition to the pole-raising ceremony, on the morning of February 10th (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month), the organizing committee also performed the ritual of releasing fish to bid farewell to the Kitchen God and the Stove God. "Recreating the pole-raising ceremony and releasing fish to bid farewell to the Kitchen God and the Stove God not only aims to preserve the beautiful customs of the nation, but also contributes to bringing this heritage closer to the public," Mr. Huu Anh said.

According to the organizers, to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage site will offer free admission to the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site and the Lam Kinh National Special Monument. At the same time, many cultural and artistic activities will be organized to serve the people and domestic and international tourists.

Images from the flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site in 2026:

The ritual of raising the ceremonial pole has been reenacted many times at Ho Citadel.

The steps in the flag-raising ceremony

The rituals of paying homage to heaven and earth at the Upper Ceremony at the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage site.

The ceremonial pole is erected at a heritage site over 600 years old in Thanh Hoa.

Ho Citadel (also known as Tay Do Citadel), located in Tay Do commune, Thanh Hoa province, was built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397. It is a stone citadel with one of the most unique architectural styles in Vietnam and the world. It was once considered the capital, the cultural, political , and social center of Dai Ngu Kingdom under the Ho Dynasty.

Having existed for over 600 years, the stone citadel was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/le-thuong-neu-o-di-san-the-gioi-hon-600-nam-o-thanh-hoa-196260210105805151.htm