Visitors enjoy a folk game at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo

HUẾ — The Huế Monuments Conservation Centre launched the “Tết at Royal Palace” programme on February 11 at Phủ Nội Vụ (Internal Affairs Office) within the Huế Imperial Citadel with a series of special cultural activities.

Taking place under favourable weather conditions, this year’s programme attracted large numbers of domestic and international visitors.

Its activities recreate the traditional Tết (Lunar New Year Festival) atmosphere of the former royal court. Visitors enjoyed court and folk games, immersive light displays, and traditional Tết cuisine.

The event also includes artistic performances, competitions for making bánh chưng (square-shaped sticky rice cake) and bánh tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake), a ceremonial procession offering cakes to ancestors, and calligraphy performances with calligraphic characters presented to guests.

Nguyễn Thu Hiền and her husband from Thuận Hóa Ward of Huế arrived early to take part in the programme. She said the setting of Phủ Nội Vụ, combined with the glow of numerous traditional lanterns, created an impressive ambience. The programme also offered many activities rich in traditional Tết identity. She was particularly impressed by the calligraphy performance and received the character “An” (Peace) as a wish for safety and tranquillity in the Year of the Horse.

Nguyễn Ngọc and his family from Đà Nẵng shared that they spent time exploring the various activities. At the bánh chưng and bánh tét making contest, they lingered so their children could learn how the cakes are made and understand their significance in ancestral offerings during Tết.

Within the framework of the programme, the Huế Royal Antiquities Museum coordinated the organisation and guidance of some representative court and folk games. Tết-themed artistic performances, featuring Huế folk songs and spring melodies, were carefully staged, contributing to a lively atmosphere imbued with traditional cultural identity.

The “Royal Palace Tết” programme runs until February 12. —VNA/VNS