Top 5 Most Unique Traditions and Customs in Thua Thien Hue

The Lunar New Year celebration holds deep significance for the people of Hue. It marks the transition from the old year to the new, symbolizing a fresh start. In Hue, any unfinished tasks must be completed before the year ends, and any debts must be paid off. As the saying goes, 'Let bygones be bygones.' On New Year's Eve, the elders of the family prepare an offering of traditional sweets, fruits, and incense, and set up an altar for the family to honor their ancestors. This includes famous local treats such as lotus seed cakes, green bean cakes, in cakes, ginger candy, candied pumpkin, and kumquat preserves. Each family member, starting with the eldest, performs a ritual bowing to their ancestors while praying for a prosperous, joyful year. The ceremony also invites the spirits of the ancestors to join in the New Year's celebrations, creating a warm, familial atmosphere during the three days of Tết.

The customs of this first day of the New Year are always sacred and memorable, offering a time for family reunions and cherished togetherness.

For many Buddhists living in Hue, the annual Buddha's Birthday festival is of great importance. The ceremony is carried out solemnly in front of a large crowd of monks, nuns, and Buddhist devotees. In the days leading up to the celebration, many Buddhists visit temples to chant prayers. The temple grounds are decorated with special arrangements: lanterns shaped like lotus flowers and Buddhist flags are displayed throughout the area. The iconic Truong Tien Bridge over the Perfume River is also adorned with yellow lotus lanterns. On the 14th of May (the 14th day of the 4th lunar month), a procession involving thousands of devotees crosses Truong Tien Bridge, honoring the Buddha.

Buddhism has become not only the spiritual foundation of Hue’s people but also a vital part of its cultural identity. The Buddha's Birthday celebration lights up the hope for a peaceful future after challenging times, helping to fulfill the goal of supporting the nation in its journey toward peace, prosperity, and happiness for all people and the world.

The Land Worship Ceremony, also known as the 'Thanking the Land for Peace' ritual, is dedicated to honoring the earth gods and associated spirits. This ceremony takes place twice a year, usually on an auspicious day in either February or August of the lunar calendar. February is the preferred month because it is considered to bring wealth and good fortune in Hue. However, those with busy schedules or non-business families may choose to perform it in August.

The ceremony setup is unique: the altar is placed outside the house, with the head of the household praying from inside. The offerings typically include rice, sticky rice, sweet soups, pork, chicken, fried fish, stir-fried dishes, and salads. The offerings are arranged on three separate tables: the upper, middle, and lower tables, each adorned with incense, fruits, betel leaves, wine, and joss paper.

This land worship tradition reflects the spiritual and humanistic beauty of Hue’s culture. Even though some traditional practices are fading in other places, Hue still preserves this custom, which stands as a testament to the cultural identity passed down from ancestors.

According to tradition, during the first days of the New Year until mid-January, people in Hue commonly hold the Annual Prayers for Personal Protection, also known as the New Year's Prayer Ceremony. This ritual is performed to pray for peace, health, and good fortune for all family members throughout the year.

The offerings are simple yet meaningful: fresh fruits, cakes, betel leaves, wine, a plate of sticky rice, and a pair of bamboo flowers. The bamboo flowers are a key element of the ceremony, symbolizing rural Vietnam, the nation’s traditions, and the resilience and immortality of the national spirit. Bamboo also carries a spiritual significance, as its stalks are used to create a 'Nêu' tree during the Lunar New Year to ward off evil spirits. Different flowers hold unique value in various ceremonies, and bamboo flowers are indispensable in the New Year's prayer ritual.

This custom adds a distinctive touch to the cultural fabric of the ancient city of Hue.

The A Pier Ceremony is held to pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. Each year, the Ta Oi and Pa Co people organize this ritual before planting rice or sowing seeds in their fields. According to their belief, if the ceremony is not performed, the Rice God will not awaken, leading to poor crops and potential damage from pests. Therefore, conducting this ritual is considered a vital custom.

The offerings typically include a pig, a chicken, a jar of rice wine, sticky rice, cakes, sugarcane, and five types of seeds (rice, corn, peanuts, beans, sesame). One essential item in this ritual is the selection of seed varieties, which families prepare in advance. The community gathers around a ceremonial tree, symbolizing their devotion, and after completing the ritual at home, the shaman and the villagers proceed to the designated field to perform the outdoor ceremony.

This custom has given the region a rich cultural and historical heritage.