Year-end nêu pole raising ceremony

Used across Vietnam, Folk practice

When

Kinh people raise the nêu pole on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, after the ceremony to see off Ông Táo; the pole is taken down on the 7th of the first lunar month

Where the offerings are set

In front of the house yard; at the communal place of the village, mainly at the village pagoda

Who makes the offering

The family; the pagoda

Offerings

Steps

1. Choose a tall, straight bamboo or trúc (bamboo) pole
2. Arrange the offering tray, pray to ancestors and deities for permission to raise the nêu pole
3. Tie the hanging objects to the top, then raise the nêu pole in front of the yard
4. On the 7th of the first lunar month, perform the khai hạ ceremony, worship Heaven and Earth in the yard, then take down the nêu pole (belongs to the khai-xuan category of ceremonies)

Red River Delta, Folk practice

When

The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month

Where the offerings are set

House yards and village pagodas in the Bắc Bộ delta region

Offerings

Steps

1. The village pagoda raises a nêu pole with a phướn (vertical banner) at the top, hangs a ceramic khánh and a bundle of votive paper, and sprinkles powdered lime in the shape of a bow and arrow
2. Households raise the nêu pole in the yard and sprinkle powdered lime in the shape of a bow and arrow as at the pagoda

Huế, Đại Nội Huế, Nguyễn court ritual (re-enacted)

When

Morning of the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month at Thế Tổ Miếu and Triệu Tổ Miếu; from the 28th of the twelfth lunar month to the 30th of Tết at other relic sites; nêu pole taken down on the 7th of the first lunar month

Where the offerings are set

The yard of Hiển Lâm Các in front of Thế Tổ Miếu, and Triệu Tổ Miếu, in the Đại Nội

Who makes the offering

The Huế Monuments Conservation Centre reenacts the Thượng Tiêu ceremony of the Nguyễn dynasty (since 2015)

Offerings

Steps

1. The nêu pole is carried in procession from Hiển Nhơn gate into the Imperial City to Thế Miếu gate, with guard soldiers carrying it and court ritual music
2. An incense table and offerings are set out; the Đại nhạc ensemble and the bồi tự officiants perform the rite
3. Dig the earth and pull the ropes to raise the nêu pole
4. On the 7th of the first lunar month, the Hạ Tiêu rite (lowering the nêu pole) is held, the seal is opened, and calligraphy is given as a New Year gift

Where the sources differ

• Date of raising the nêu pole at court: the present-day re-enactment is held on the morning of the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month (Báo Pháp luật Việt Nam, Báo Văn Hóa); an article in Tạp chí Luật sư Việt Nam citing the Nguyễn dynasty Châu bản says the Thượng tiêu rite was performed on the 30th day of Tết.

Northwest, Mường, Hòa Bình, Folk practice

When

From the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month onward, each household chooses a day and hour to fetch the tree and raise it

Where the offerings are set

A large nêu pole at the main gate; small nêu poles at the entrances, at the livestock pens, and where farming tools are kept

Who makes the offering

The Mường family

Offerings

Steps

1. Choose a day and hour to go and fetch the tree
2. First make offerings to the deities, Thổ Công, Thổ Địa and the ancestors
3. Perform the rite of raising the nêu pole and hang the quả còn
4. Raise additional small nêu poles at the entrances and at the pens, by the belief that all things celebrate Tết along with people

Northeast, Tày, Nùng, Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Cao Bằng, Folk practice

When

Afternoon of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month

Steps

1. The Tày and Nùng plant the nêu pole on the afternoon of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, not on the 23rd as the Kinh do