Programme revives traditional Tet in ancient capital
The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre launched the “Tet at Royal Palace” programme on February 11 at Phu Noi Vu (Internal Affairs Office) within the Hue Imperial Citadel with a series of special cultural activities.
Taking place under favourable weather conditions, this year’s programme attracted large numbers of domestic and international visitors.
Its activities recreate the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) atmosphere of the former royal court. Visitors enjoyed court and folk games, immersive light displays, and traditional Tet cuisine.
The event also includes artistic performances, competitions for making chung and tet cakes, a ceremonial procession offering cakes to ancestors, and calligraphy performances with calligraphic characters presented to guests.
Nguyen Thu Hien and her husband from Thuan Hoa ward of Hue arrived early to take part in the programme. She said the setting of Phu Noi Vu, combined with the glow of numerous traditional lanterns, created an impressive ambience. The programme also offered many activities rich in traditional Tet identity. She was particularly impressed by the calligraphy performance and received the character “An” (Peace) as a wish for safety and tranquillity in the Year of the Horse.
Nguyen Ngoc and his family from Da Nang shared that they spent time exploring the various activities. At the “ banh chung” (square-shaped sticky rice cake) and “banh tet” (cylindrical sticky rice cake) making contest, they lingered so their children could learn how the cakes are made and understand their significance in ancestral offerings during Tet.
Within the framework of the programme, the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum coordinated the organisation and guidance of some representative court and folk games. Tet-themed artistic performances, featuring Hue folk songs and spring melodies, were carefully staged, contributing to a lively atmosphere imbued with traditional cultural identity.
The “Royal Palace Tet” programme runs until February 12.
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