Imperial Lunar New Year ceremony graces Hue
Le Huy Hoang Hai/VOV.VN -
(VOVWORLD) - The Grand Audience Ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty during Tet was reenacted on Tuesday in the former imperial town of Hue to preserve royal tradition.
The ceremony once saw the Nguyen Dynasty kings and functionaries convene for important discussions or on special occasions like Tet. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Grand Audience Ceremony used to be held at Thai Hoa Palace and Ordinary Audience Ceremony at Can Chanh Palace.
The emperor used to go from Can Chanh Palace to Dai Cung Mon (Great Palace Gate) and ascend to Thai Hoa Palace for the Grand Audience Ceremony.
Mandarins presented their congratulatory statements to the emperor. The emperor’s banquet was announced.
Then the emperor would leave Thai Hoa palace for Can Chanh palace for other Tet rituals.
Here, the emperor’s younger brothers, sons, and relatives prostrated to congratulate him.
The event wraps up with a banquet and performance as appointed by the king.
The New Year’s banquet hall used to be in Can Chanh Palace and the halls on its left and right called Ta Vu, Huu Vu, Ta Dai Lau Vien and Huu Dai Lau Vien.
Nowadays, the reenactment of the two rites only takes place at Thai Hoa Palace.
Can Chanh Palace was destroyed in 1947 in a scorched earth resistance policy during the war.
The Grand Audience Ceremony was staged to preserve the cultural heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty and introduce royal traditions at Tet, promoting tourism in Thua Thien-Hue Province.
Other photos at the event:
Le Huy Hoang Hai/VOV.VN