Traditional rituals to see off the old year and ring in the new year were performed at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO world heritage site, on January 26.
Decorating the Tet bamboo pole (Photo: Hoang Thanh Thang Long).
The activity kicked off a series of events to be held within the premises of the heritage site in order to welcome the year of the pig.
The event was attended by leaders of the Vietnamese Fatherland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hanoi government, overseas Vietnamese and residents of the capital city.
The reproduced rituals included an offering to the Kitchen Gods, the release of carp into an ancient river at the archaeological site of 18 Hoang Dieu and the erection of a bamboo pole in front of the Doan Mon Gate.
A Tet bamboo pole is be put up at the imperial citdatel (Photo: Hoang Thanh Thang Long)
A delegation of overseas Vietnamese who will attend the Homeland Spring programme later in the day also offered incense at the imperial citadel.
To welcome the new year, an exhibition was held at 19C Hoang Dieu featuring cultural traditions that remind people of Tet in bygone days, while kids could experience folk games and enjoy exciting water puppetry performances.
According to the organisers, the re-enactment of the traditional rituals will help safeguard the traditional culture within the heritage site.
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long will close during February 3-5 and reopen on February 6, or the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Source: NDO
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
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