Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Offers Free Admission from the 4th to the 6th Day of Lunar New Year 2026
During the Lunar New Year (Tết) of Bính Ngọ 2026, Hanoi will waive entrance fees at 17 city-managed heritage sites from February 20 to 22, 2026 (the 4th to the 6th day of the first lunar month). Among them, Hoàng thành Thăng Long (Imperial Citadel of Thang Long) stands out as a cultural highlight, featuring a vibrant series of spring activities throughout the festive season.
The free-admission initiative aims to create favorable conditions for residents and visitors to enjoy the Lunar New Year while promoting the enduring heritage values of Thang Long – Hanoi.
The Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center is organizing a wide range of meaningful cultural programs that connect tradition with contemporary artistic expression.
A Special Lunar New Year Program at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
(February 1 – February 25, 2026)
An outdoor artistic installation, the Spring Flower Street uses blossoms as a “soft material of time” to enhance the architecture and spatial axis of the heritage site.
Highlights include:
- Diễn grapefruits, kumquat trees, and peach blossoms – iconic symbols of Northern Vietnamese spring
- Ripening rice stalks representing prosperity and vitality
- Familiar flowers such as daisy, dahlia, poinsettia, and sunflower
- Traditional materials like bamboo and wood combined with stylized spring motifs
“Dawn of Aspiration” is more than a decorative flower display; it is an immersive cultural journey where each step becomes a dialogue with history.
Traditional Folk Tết Space
(From February 1, 2026)
This exhibition recreates the Lunar New Year atmosphere of a traditional urban family in ancient Thang Long, featuring ancestral altars, red parallel sentences, bánh chưng (square sticky rice cakes), calligraphy activities, and ornamental flower displays. The setting evokes the distinctive cultural character of old Hanoi.
Royal New Year Rituals of the Lê Trung Hưng Period
(From February 1, 2026)
Visitors can explore the ceremonial system of the royal court during the Lê Trung Hưng dynasty, including major rituals such as:
- The Calendar Presentation Ceremony
- The Spring Buffalo Offering Ceremony
- The Erection of the New Year Pole (Cây Nêu)
- The Imperial New Year Audience (Chính Đán)
These rituals reflect the solemn and refined spirit of Tết in the ancient royal capital.
Photo Exhibition “Tết in Memory”
(From February 9, 2026)
A nostalgic collection of archival photographs capturing the Lunar New Year celebrations of Hanoi and Northern Vietnam during challenging historical periods—times marked by hardship yet filled with optimism and resilience.
Traditional Rituals and Performances:
- Reenactment of the “Farewell to the Old Year – Welcome the New Year” Ceremony
9:00 AM, February 10, 2026 (23rd day of the last lunar month), at Đoan Môn Gate - Water Puppet Performances
Held on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th days of Tết (morning and afternoon sessions) - New Year Pole Lowering Ceremony
9:00 AM, February 23, 2026 (7th day of the first lunar month) - Spring Opening Ceremony
9:00 AM, February 25, 2026 (9th day of the first lunar month), at Kính Thiên Palace courtyard
These ceremonies express wishes for national prosperity, peace, and good fortune in the year ahead.
A Meaningful Spring Destination
In the first five days of the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, Hanoi welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue of over VND 2.2 trillion—demonstrating the city’s growing appeal as a spring destination. Within this vibrant picture, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long remains a prominent cultural landmark, where profound historical legacy meets the joyful spirit of the New Year.
The free admission from the 4th to the 6th day of Tết offers an excellent opportunity for residents and international visitors alike to step into a UNESCO-recognized heritage space and experience a spring celebration that harmoniously blends tradition and modern life in the heart of Hanoi.
NTT
