“Nêu tree” planting in imperial citadel re-enacted

This custom was maintained in the imperial citadel during the Nguyen dynasty.

In recent years, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has been re-enacting this custom at the Hue Imperial Citadel. During the ritual, 10 soldiers carry the tree to royal court music from the gate to the emperor worshipping place where they plant the tree.

After that, the same ritual takes place in Long An Palace. The planting is also held in other sites of the Hue Imperial Citadel but at a smaller scale. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, “Nêu tree“ planting marked the last working day of the year for the royal court and provided a break before the feudal system returned to work again.