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The New Year's opening ceremony of the feudal court.
According to traditional beliefs, the Lunar New Year is a sacred moment marking the beginning of a new year, an occasion for people to reflect on their roots, pray for national peace and prosperity, and favorable weather. In the court life of the Nguyen dynasty, the Lunar New Year not only held cultural and spiritual significance but was also a major political event, organized with a strict, large-scale, and solemn system of rituals.
According to the regulations of the Nguyen Dynasty, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the court held a Grand Court at the Thai Hoa Palace and a Regular Court at the Can Chanh Palace. This was an occasion for court officials to present congratulatory petitions to the emperor, marking the beginning of a new year within the framework of standard rituals, demonstrating the authority of the dynasty as well as the emperor's philosophy of governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people.
The Thái Hòa Palace – the center of royal power.
In the reenactment program, Thai Hoa Palace – the central building of the Hue Imperial Palace – continues to play the main role of the Grand Court Ceremony. This is where the most important ceremonies of the Nguyen Dynasty took place, such as the coronation, the grand court, and the reception of foreign envoys. Choosing Thai Hoa Palace as the venue not only ensures historical accuracy but also contributes to the sacredness and solemnity of the ceremony.
The most important political and cultural ceremony of the Nguyen dynasty at the beginning of spring.
According to tradition, the king proceeded from the Can Chanh Palace, through the Dai Cung Mon Gate, to the Thai Hoa Palace to personally preside over the ceremony. In the majestic space of the Grand Courtyard, the civil and military officials of the Nguyen dynasty gathered in full, lined up neatly according to their rank. The heads of the ministries held the front positions, demonstrating the strict order and discipline of the feudal court.
Civil and military officials gathered in full force, lined up neatly according to their rank in the Grand Courtyard, recreating the strict discipline and order of the ancient feudal court.
Presenting congratulatory messages and proclaiming the bestowal of favors.
One of the important aspects of the Lunar New Year's Court Ceremony is the ritual of officials presenting congratulatory messages to the emperor. These New Year's greetings not only signify wishes for the emperor's longevity and the nation's prosperity, but also demonstrate the loyalty and responsibility of the court officials towards the country's destiny.
Next came the ceremony of reading the king's decrees of benevolence. In a solemn atmosphere, the decrees, reflecting the king's tolerance, compassion, and the spirit of "putting the people first," were announced, ushering in a new year filled with good expectations. These rituals were harmoniously combined with performances of the Grand Court Music and Small Court Music, creating a ceremonial space that was both majestic and aesthetically pleasing.
After concluding the Grand Court ceremony at the Thai Hoa Palace, the king left the palace to return to the Can Chanh Palace, where the New Year's rituals continued within the royal palace grounds. Here, the younger princes and royal relatives performed the ceremonial greetings to the king, demonstrating the royal family's relationship and the succession to the Nguyen dynasty's lineage.
The court costumes and ceremonial regalia have been meticulously restored by the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center based on valuable historical documents.
A highlight of the Lunar New Year ceremony is the ritual of announcing the royal decree for the banquet and spring festivities. The banquets, bestowed by the king, are held at the Can Chanh Palace and surrounding buildings such as the Ta Vu, Huu Vu, Ta Dai Lau Vien, and Huu Dai Lau Vien. The spring atmosphere in the imperial palace is vividly recreated through solemn yet warm rituals, reflecting the court life during the Lunar New Year of yesteryear.
Rituals that once seemed to exist only in books now come alive, helping domestic and international tourists appreciate the cultural depth of the heritage of the ancient capital of Hue.
The Nguyen Dynasty's New Year's Court Ceremony was first researched and reenacted in a theatrical format in 2021 by the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center. Before staging the ceremony, researchers conducted thorough studies based on a rich system of historical documents such as the Dai Nam Thuc Luc, the Kham Dinh Dai Nam Hoi Dien Su Le, Nguyen Dynasty imperial archives, and many other related sources.
In particular, the costumes of civil and military officials, as well as members of the royal family, were meticulously recreated according to ancient court models, from style and color to decorative patterns, contributing to a realistic portrayal of the court rituals of the Nguyen dynasty. Court music, ceremonial objects, and formations participating in the ceremonies were also elaborately constructed, ensuring accuracy and high aesthetic value.
Recreating the Lunar New Year's Royal Court Ceremony not only serves to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Hue imperial court, but also contributes to bringing history closer to contemporary audiences. Through theatrical performances, rituals that seemed to exist only in historical records are brought to life within the Imperial Citadel, allowing viewers to easily visualize and experience them.
For tourists, this is a rare opportunity to experience the traditional Tet atmosphere in the heritage space of Hue Imperial City, a place where the unique cultural values of the nation are crystallized. For local people, the program contributes to reviving pride in their homeland's heritage, while enriching their cultural and spiritual lives during the Tet holiday.
Experiencing the Lunar New Year atmosphere of the royal palace with the sounds of the ceremonial music and the resplendent royal costumes offers visitors an unforgettable cultural memory in the ancient capital.
Unique cultural highlights of the Hue Tet season.
The Nguyen Dynasty's Lunar New Year Royal Court Ceremony promises to be a special cultural highlight in the series of activities celebrating the traditional Tet holiday in Hue in 2026. The harmonious combination of heritage sites, royal rituals, and traditional art will not only create an event rich in historical value but also contribute to promoting the image of Hue – a heritage city and a city of festivals – to friends both domestically and internationally.
The Royal Court Ceremony has become a bridge connecting young people to national memories and igniting cultural pride.
Through this program, the cultural values of the Nguyen Dynasty court continue to be preserved, promoted, and disseminated, contributing to affirming Hue's role in preserving and transmitting national cultural heritage in the modern era.
