Reenactment of the Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony at the Hue Imperial Citadel.

VOV.VN - On the morning of February 11th (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month), a reenactment of the Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony took place in the courtyard of the Thai Hoa Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel.

The Lunar New Year Court Ceremony was the most important annual court ritual under the Nguyen Dynasty, held on the first day of the Lunar New Year. According to tradition, the court held the Grand Court Ceremony at the Thai Hoa Palace and the Ordinary Court Ceremony at the Can Chanh Palace. During the Grand Court Ceremony, the Emperor proceeded from the Can Chanh Palace, through the Great Palace Gate, to the Thai Hoa Palace to personally preside over the ceremony; civil and military officials lined up according to their rank, with the Ministers at the head.

Reenacting the Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony at the Thai Hoa Palace courtyard.

At the reenactment of the Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony.

At the ceremony, officials presented congratulatory messages to the king on the occasion of the New Year. The court then solemnly read out the king's decree of favor, accompanied by performances of grand and small court music. After the grand court session concluded, the king returned to the Can Chanh Palace to continue the New Year's court rituals.

The Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center researches, reconstructs, and stages these works.

The reenactment of the ritual contributes to the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Hue imperial court.

Here, the royal brothers, princes, and other relatives performed the ritual of paying homage to the king, followed by the ceremony of hosting a banquet and celebrating the spring. The banquet was held at the Can Chanh Palace and adjacent buildings such as the Left Wing, Right Wing, Left Dai Lau Vien, and Right Dai Lau Vien.

Recreating the scene of the Lunar New Year's Court Ceremony during the Nguyen Dynasty.

Recreating the scene of officials entering the Thái Hòa Palace courtyard.

The Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony was researched, reconstructed, and staged for the first time in 2021 by the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center. The rituals were based on historical documents, and the costumes of civil and military officials were recreated according to imperial court standards.

Recreating the scene of officials gathering in the courtyard of the Thái Hòa Palace.

Recreating the scene of high-ranking officials entering the Thái Hòa Palace.

Recreating the rituals not only contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Hue imperial court but also provides an opportunity for the public and tourists to better understand ancient court rituals and experience the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday within the heritage space of the ancient capital of Hue.

Scenes from the Lunar New Year Court Ceremony

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, Deputy Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, said that the Center has researched and recreated the Lunar New Year's Eve court ceremony based on documents from the Dai Nam Thuc Luc, the Kham Dinh Dai Nam Hoi Dien Su Le, etc.

“The Lunar New Year celebrations of the Nguyen Dynasty were held in many locations. First, on the first day, the King would go to the Thai Hoa Palace and hold a grand court ceremony. Here, officials, departments, ministries, and branches would present their congratulations to the King. Afterward, the ceremony would conclude. The ceremony included ceremonial music performances. Following the Thai Hoa Palace ceremony, another Lunar New Year celebration would be held in the Can Chanh Palace, where young princes and royal relatives would offer their congratulations to the King. Afterward, the King would host a banquet,” Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung explained.

Source: https://vov.vn/van-hoa/tai-hien-le-thiet-trieu-nguyen-dan-trieu-nguyen-tai-dai-noi-hue-post1268611.vov