Rites to be re-enacted include: sealing ceremony (repackaging), offering calendar (to the king), Kitchen Gods worshiping ceremony, carp release and Neu hoisting ceremony. In particular, the most attention is drawn to the Neu hoisting ceremony in the Thang Long Emperial Citadel.
The Neu hosting ceremony is in the Emperial Citadel.
Sealing or “phat thuc” is a rite of repackaging of ancient kings, which represents stopping work to welcome Tet. Offering calendar is a ceremony of offering the New Year’s calendar to the king, then the king gives the calendar to the people, making it the basis for carrying out crops and other ceremonies. Neu hoisting mentioned above is an ancient custom of Vietnamese people during Lunar New Year. At the same time, this is also an important ceremony of the palace. During the monarchy, the king himself, or a high-ranking official was entrusted with this task, which was taken place usually on the 23rd of December of the Lunar Calendar. After a period of research, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has collaborated with the Thang Long Cultural Heritage Association to successfully build this ceremony.
The bamboo that was chosen to be the Neu was a male bamboo, which cut down all branches, leaving only the tops and leaves above. The top of the tree was hung with a long gonfalon. On the top, there was also a small circle that hung with bells, or the mascot so that when the wind blows, they would bump and squeak. It has a meaning to eliminate the devil, wishing a happy spring, a whole year of peace, favorable weather, and thriving crops.
After the heaven and earth worshiping rituals, the Neu was hoisted in the excitement of the people, signaling a new year is coming.
Previously, at the Kinh Thien Shrine which belong to the Thang Long Emperial Citadel, the Organizing Board made a ceremony to worship the Kitchen Gods. After completing the ceremony, the ceremonial team together with the officiating priest released carps to the ancient river, which was discovered during archaeological excavations in Emperial Citadel.
Carp reception and carp release ceremonies at the ancient river.
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, activities to welcome Tet holiday this year in Thang Long Emperial Citadel are simplified. The main activity is the 2022 Vietnamese New Year program with the theme “Offering the calendar to welcome the spring” and will be broadcasted online.
To serve the online display, the Organizing Board has combined filming, image introduction and staging so that visitors can feel the most vivid and realistic way. This activity helps the public understand more about the old Tet, have more forms of sightseeing and entertainment during the Tet holiday. Online display website addresses are www.hoangthanhthanglong.vn and www.trungbayonline.hoangthanhthanglong.vn.
ND