Reenacting the flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site.

On the afternoon of February 9th (the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month), at the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site, the Management Board of the Ho Dynasty Citadel and key historical sites of Thanh Hoa province organized a heritage education program with activities recreating the traditional Tet pole-raising ceremony, combined with releasing the "Ông Công" fish into the Imperial Palace.

Traditional Tet customs are revived within the World Heritage site of Ho Citadel. Photo: BTH

This year's flag-raising ceremony was attended by many students from the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage area, along with a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

In this ancient heritage setting, traditional Tet customs are revived in a solemn, intimate, and meaningful way.

The ceremony of raising the ceremonial pole and releasing the fish of Ông Công and Ông Táo at the Hồ Dynasty Citadel Heritage Site is not only a vividly reenacted ancient ritual but also an opportunity for the community to come together to remember their roots, commemorate the deities, and pray for good fortune.

The traditional New Year's pole-raising ceremony was held with great solemnity. Photo: BTH

The Thượng Nêu ceremony (also known as the Thượng Tiêu ceremony or the pole-raising ceremony) is a traditional Vietnamese custom, expressing the wish for a new year of national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, well-being for all, and good fortune for all families. It also contributes to the preservation and promotion of the intangible cultural values of the Tây Đô region.

During the Vietnamese monarchical dynasties, the custom of erecting the New Year's pole was incorporated into the royal palace and used as a tradition and regulation of the Ho Dynasty. Recreating the New Year's pole-raising ceremony allows the people and tourists to experience and better understand the beautiful traditional cultural aspects of the Vietnamese nation.

The erection of the New Year's pole signals the official start of Tet. The image of the pole reaching towards the spring sunshine symbolizes the vibrant energy of spring rising within each Vietnamese person, creating a joyful and warm atmosphere during the Lunar New Year.

The ritual of releasing fish for the Kitchen God and Stove God. Photo: BTH

Also on the afternoon of February 9th, a fish release ceremony was held in the grounds of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Cultural Heritage site to commemorate the Kitchen God and Stove God festival.

Amidst the ancient setting of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site, the traditional Tet pole-raising ceremony is solemnly recreated, blending with the ritual of releasing the "Ông Công" fish in the Imperial Palace, evoking memories of traditional Tet and stirring up the deep beliefs and spirit of family reunion of the Vietnamese people every spring.

Source: https://congluan.vn/tai-hien-nghi-le-thuong-neu-tai-di-san-the-gioi-thanh-nha-ho-10329973.html