ClockThursday, 17/03/2022 11:20

Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony: Deferential and Humanistic

HNN.VN - On the morning of March 16 (February 14 in the Year of the Tiger), Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony at Xa Tac Esplanade (Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City), in order to pray for the nation's peace, good weather, bountiful crops, and people's well-being.

Bringing royal rituals back to modern lifeSolemn Xa Tac Ceremony

Provincial leaders attending Xa Tac Ceremony

Set to be held annually, this year’s Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony took place solemnly and respectfully with a full set of rituals: Quan tay ritual (washing hands for cleaning all impurities), Thuong huong ritual (incense offering), Nghinh than ritual (inviting the gods to attend), Dien Ngoc bach ritual (offering white jade), Truyen chuc ritual (reading the oration), Hien tuoc ritual (wine offering)... The sacrificial items include three animal sacrifices, white silk, rice, fruits...

During the Nguyen Dynasty, Xa Tac Ceremony was one of the important royal rituals placed in the Dai tu (high rank), expressing a desire for harmonious living with nature. The ceremony honors human values, following the ethics of the Vietnamese people.

Since the first re-enactment in 2008, Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony has been held every year, becoming a unique traditional cultural feature imbued with the human values of Thua Thien Hue.

After the ceremonies, a large number of people came to offer incense at the Xa Tac Esplanade to pray for national peace, favorable weather, and happy and prosperous life...

Xa Tac Esplanade was built in 1806 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and is one of the particularly important royal relics of Hue Ancient Capital. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, Xa Tac Esplanade was ranked among Nam Giao Esplanade and Ngu Mieu in the Imperial Citadel as one of the important worshipping places of the court and the royal family.

Below are some images captured at Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony that took place at dawn on March 16:

Held annually, Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony has become a unique traditional culture of Thua Thien Hue

The ceremony was carefully and solemnly prepared by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center

Offering tea

Musicians performing at the ceremony

Xa Tac Ritual Ceremony shows humanity and meets people's wishes for a happy and prosperous life

By Minh Hien - Bao Minh

RATING
Be the first to review this post!
  Comment

YOU MAY CARE ABOUT

Unlocking heritage: Towards “Quality over Quantity”

Rather than focusing on sheer visitor numbers, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center is shifting its service strategy at the Imperial City and other heritage sites toward product selectivity and enhanced visitor experiences, to attract high-spending tourists.

Unlocking heritage Towards “Quality over Quantity”
Free Entrance to Hue Heritage Sites on August 19 and September 2

On August 19 and September 2, Vietnamese citizens will be granted free admission to heritage sites managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center. The initiative offers an opportunity for visitors to explore Hue’s heritage during the public holidays, while gaining deeper understanding of the historical and cultural values of the Ancient Capital.

Free Entrance to Hue Heritage Sites on August 19 and September 2
Reviving Historical Archival Materials

Many royal decrees, Han-Nom manuscripts, and cadastral records preserved in Hue have suffered gradual deterioration due to the impacts of time and climatic conditions. Restoration and conservation work has therefore become a means of safeguarding these valuable documents, allowing their historical values to continue to be passed down to future generations.

Reviving Historical Archival Materials
Piloting E-Ticket Verification for Heritage Fee Discounts

On May 5, following the directives of the City People’s Committee and in line with Resolution 55/2025/NQ-HĐND, Hue Monuments Conservation Center announced a pilot program to verify eligibility for the beneficiaries of reduced heritage entrance fees via the e-ticketing system.

Piloting E-Ticket Verification for Heritage Fee Discounts
Setting up Cay Neu (Neu pole) to welcome the Lunar New Year at the Imperial Palace

On the morning of February 10th (the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake), under fine weather conditions, Hue Monuments Conservation Center reenacted the ceremony of setting up Neu pole (Thuong Tieu ceremony) in strict accordance with royal court rituals of the Nguyen Dynasty. The activity was part of Hue Festival 2026, attracting large numbers of locals and visitors to observe and experience the event, recreating the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday in the former Royal Palace.

Setting up Cay Neu Neu pole to welcome the Lunar New Year at the Imperial Palace

LASTEST NEWS

Return to top