The event wasorganised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre to mark the officialclosing of the Tet festival in the Hue heritage site, reported theSaigon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper.
Under the NguyenDynasty (1802-1945), cay neu was erected on the 23rd day of the lastmonth of the lunar year in Hue Citadel, starting the Tet holiday.
Atall bamboo pole was erected with some ritual items, like a royal seal,pen brush and swords, which were guarded by solders, to be hung on itstop. It was believed to expel evils and pray for favourable weather andbumper crops in the New Year.
The pole was ceremonially removed on the seventh day of Tet, bringing an end to the New Year celebration.
Atthe ceremony to remove the pole in Hue, the centre re-enacted the royalseal opening and presented calligraphy with a seal on it to visitors onthe special day.-VNA