Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue

Tourists visiting Hue imperial relics on New Year's day have a chance to witness the ceremony called "Calendar books distribution" (or Lễ Ban Sóc in Vietnamese), a common traditional practice in the Nguyen Dynasty.
Jasmine Le
January 02, 2021 | 17:48
hue in glimmer and grace as night falls Hue in glimmer and grace as night falls
hue citadel revives guard mounting ceremony of the nguyen dynasty Hue citadel revives guard mounting ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty
hue mausoleum viewed from above Hue mausoleum viewed from above
Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

On January 1 morning, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center replicated the Ban Soc ritual, which essentially means to dole out calendar books to residents at Ngo Mon gate, Hue city.

The practice was held periodically at the end of every lunar year under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

In the past, the agricultural economy was key to Vietnamese people, thus the calendar book played a pivotal role in helping people track the time, acknowledge of weather changing patterns to promptly respond and avoid the different natural disasters.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

Ban Soc ceremony was held on a large scale at the beginning of the Minh Mang Dynasty. Once the calendars were finished, the court would hold the ceremony.

In the photo, a spokesperson is telling the historical and cultural meaning of Ban Soc ceremony to attendants.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

In 1984, the Ban Soc ceremony was instructed by Emperor Minh Mang at Ngo Mon gate. Calendar books are given to residents.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)
Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

The calendars are brought into the Royal Palace for the Royal Family to use, the calendars were distributed to the mandarins in the Imperial City, in localities and distributed among the public to use according to Zing News.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

On New Year's Day, many visitors are excited to be greeted with a solemn welcome upon their visit to Dai Noi relic, Hue city.

Replication of New Year's 'Calendar book distribution' ceremony in Hue
(Photo: Zing News)

On this occasion, Hue Monuments Conservation Center opened the Ngo Mon space after a long restoration.

series of unique events nationwide take place welcoming new year 2021 Series of unique events nationwide take place welcoming New Year 2021

New Year flag-salute ceremony held at the country’s easternmost point, new rice celebration of Bahnar ethnic group in Gia Lai, reenacting calendar- granting ceremony of ...
in photos new years eve around the world with pandemic controlling muting celebrations In photos: New Year's Eve around the world with pandemic controlling muting celebrations

While freshes wave of coronavirus have sparked renewed lockdowns, the world began ushering in the New Year with pandemic controlling muting celebrations. Here are the ...
pope francis to skip new years eve masses due sciatic pain Pope Francis to skip New Year's Eve masses due to sciatic pain

Pope Francis will skip the 2021 New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations hosted by the Vatican due to sciatic pain.
Jasmine Le
Chia sẻ
 Email
Tags:
Calendar book distribution Ban Soc ceremony

Related Stories

Hue Festival 2022 Opens with Calendar Distribution Ceremony Travel

Hue Festival 2022 Opens with Calendar Distribution Ceremony

Hue on New Year's day have re-enacted the ceremony called Lễ Ban Sóc (issuing the new calendar), a common traditional practice in the Nguyen Dynasty to kick off the 2022 Hue Festival.
January 02, 2022 | 08:51

Recommended

Multitasking and Juggling Jobs? No Big Deal. Gen Z Shares How They Stay Energized and Alert Despite Late Nights and Sleepless Hours Vietnamese Herbal Tea

Multitasking and Juggling Jobs? No Big Deal. Gen Z Shares How They Stay Energized and Alert Despite Late Nights and Sleepless Hours

Energetic, multitasking, and always striving for growth, many young people today are willing to take on two or three jobs at once — not only to increase their income but also to sharpen their skills and expand their career experiences.
November 12, 2025 | 00:00
Fuel Up for Instant Alertness During Long Days and Late Nights Vietnamese Herbal Tea

Fuel Up for Instant Alertness During Long Days and Late Nights

Driven, quick-thinking, and always looking for growth, today’s young professionals constantly seek out new fields to develop themselves. But when working day and night, effort alone isn’t enough. Many young people have their own “energy hacks” to stay alert, meet deadlines, boost creativity, and break through at work.
November 11, 2025 | 09:00
Recharge with Number 1 to Become a Better Version of Yourself Vietnamese Herbal Tea

Recharge with Number 1 to Become a Better Version of Yourself

To stay energized and alert before racing to meet a project launch deadline for a major real estate development, Trần Ngọc Trà My (27, Ho Chi Minh City), a freelance MC, grabbed a bottle of Number 1 energy drink and gave herself a quick break to recharge and regain focus.
November 10, 2025 | 08:00
WVIV Spreads Message “Not Alone” to Protect Children in Cyberspace Viet's Home

WVIV Spreads Message “Not Alone” to Protect Children in Cyberspace

More than 77% of Vietnamese children and teenagers accessing the internet daily, the digital world offers learning opportunities but also exposes them to serious risks.
November 10, 2025 | 07:39

Popular articles

Vietnamese National Puppetry Attracts Thai Audiences Viet's Home

Vietnamese National Puppetry Attracts Thai Audiences

Within the framework of the Sithan 2025 Festival held at Khon Kaen University (Thailand) from November 2-5, the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre delegation brought many unique and rich performances, promoting the beauty of traditional puppetry art and Vietnamese culture to international friends.
November 10, 2025 | 07:17
WVIV Supports 30,000 People Affected by Kalmaegi Typhoon and Flood Viet's Home

WVIV Supports 30,000 People Affected by Kalmaegi Typhoon and Flood

After causing heavy damage in the Philippines, Typhoon Kalmaegi has made landfall in Vietnam, left 5 people dead and 3 missing, along with more than half a million people in the central region to evacuate urgently, as of the morning of November 7. Tens of thousands of households are facing the risk of lack of housing, clean water and food. World Vision International in Vietnam (WVIV) has urgently deployed emergency relief activities, aiming to support about 30,000 affected people.
November 10, 2025 | 07:11
Newly-launched Project Enhances Sustainable Agricultural Production Capacity for 10,000 Women Viet's Home

Newly-launched Project Enhances Sustainable Agricultural Production Capacity for 10,000 Women

Women are often confined to caregiving roles and are rarely recognized or included in decisions related to production and consumption. They also face significant barriers to accessing capital, technical training, and leadership opportunities within their communities.
November 10, 2025 | 07:07
An Giang Assists Ukrainian Citizen In Safe Return Home Expats in Vietnam

An Giang Assists Ukrainian Citizen In Safe Return Home

The An Giang Provincial Police reported that they had received a diplomatic note from the Embassy of Ukraine in Vietnam, expressing sincere gratitude for the humanitarian and timely actions taken to rescue and assist a Ukrainian citizen in returning safely to his homeland on November 5.
November 08, 2025 | 11:00
Read more