Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities

Chuỗi hoạt động Tết Hoàng thành Thăng Long

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Cultural & TraditionalHanoi
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration25 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsUnlike a typical city Tet market, this
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VND
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities in Hanoi

Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities is a multi-week program of exhibitions, ceremonies and workshops staged at Hanoi's UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel around Tet. The 2026 edition ran from 1 to 25 February, recreating royal and folk New Year rituals such as calendar distribution, ceremonial pole-raising and carp-release ceremonies for the Kitchen Gods.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site built on the foundations of Vietnam's imperial capital across more than a millennium, hosts one of Hanoi's most historically layered Tet programs each year.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike a typical city Tet market, this program is staged inside a former royal palace complex and specifically recreates court rituals of the Nguyen and earlier dynasties alongside ordinary household Tet customs, letting visitors see both the imperial and folk versions of the same holiday side by side

02

The mystery stays covered

Reenactments include the Tien Lich ritual, in which calendars were once formally distributed to the court, the Thuong Tieu ceremony marking the raising of a ceremonial pole to ward off evil spirits, and a changing-of-the-guard ceremony inside the citadel walls

03

The city starts moving

A recreated old Hanoi family home, complete with ancestral altar, red parallel sentences and banh chung, sits alongside hands-on workshops in calligraphy, kite-making and Tet-food preparation, and Hanoi typically waives admission to city-managed heritage sites for several days during the holiday

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The program draws on Nguyen-dynasty court Tet rituals

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including the ceremonial distribution of calendars and the erection of a New Year pole

The sacred route

Living ritual

to keep evil spirits away

The local code

Living ritual

alongside the folk custom of releasing carp before Tet to send the Kitchen Gods to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Modest, comfortable clothing suitable for an outdoor heritage site with uneven stone pathways; layers are useful, since Hanoi in late January and February is cool and can be damp, unlike the...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

VND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.02 N, 105.84 EOpen in Google Maps

Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

Nearest airportHAN — Noi Bai
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hanoi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hanoi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearModest, comfortable clothing suitable for an outdoor heritage site with uneven stone pathways; layers are useful, since Hanoi in late January and February is cool and can be damp, unlike the rest of Vietnam's typical Tet weather further south.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Vietnam and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities?

Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities is listed for Past edition: 1–25 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Thang Long Imperial Citadel Lunar New Year Activities take place?

The festival is listed in Hanoi, Vietnam. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

25 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvietnam.travel
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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