The exhibition to take place in Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Special National Relic displays images and artifacts to introduce Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations in the Nguyen dynasty’s court.

Under the Nguyen dynasty, the Lunar New Year was considered one of the most important ceremonies of the year. The court welcomed Tet with many solemn ceremonies.

The preparation for Tet in the palace began right from the first of the twelfth lunar month by the Calendar books distribution ceremony (Ban Soc ceremony), which essentially means to dole out calendar books to residents at Ngo Mon gate in Hue ancient capital.

After that, ceremonies for inviting ancestors to enjoy Tet with the court (Hop huong Ceremony), signifying the pause of the main court work (Phong an Ceremony), and ceremonies of Tue tru, Tru tich, Thuong tieu with meaning of eliminating the bad luck of the old year and welcoming the goodness in the new year, took place before Lunar New Year's Eve in the royal palace.

By the exhibition, visitors can recognize many similarities between Tet in Nguyen dynasty’s court and folk Lunar New Year. The event will provide a clearer view of the cultural history in Vietnam.

NL (laodongthudo.vn)