Incense Offering Ceremony in Commemoration of the 997th Death Anniversary of King Ly Thai To: Honouring a Great Vietnamese Ruler
On the morning of March 31, 2025, at the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long—a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hanoi—the Thăng Long–Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center solemnly held a ceremony to commemorate the 997th death anniversary of King Lý Thái Tổ (1028–2025). The event was conducted in a respectful and solemn atmosphere, attended by numerous representatives from governmental agencies, historians, local citizens, and visitors from various regions.
King Ly Thai To, whose given name was Ly Cong Uan, was the founder of the Ly dynasty and a pivotal figure in Vietnamese history. In 1010, he made the momentous decision to move the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. Thanks to his strategic vision and wise leadership, a prosperous era of Vietnamese culture, education, and Buddhism was ushered in. He was not only a virtuous and capable ruler who ensured peace and stability, but also the one who laid the foundation for the enduring prosperity of Thang Long, the precursor to modern-day Hanoi. His policies, such as easing the burden on the people, emphasis on education, and promotion of Buddhism, significantly contributed to the lasting legacy of the Ly dynasty as one of the most brilliant chapters in Vietnamese history.
The incense offering ceremony took place in the sacred space of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, where leaders of the Party and State, alongside and citizens and guests, reverently offered incense, expressing deep gratitude for King Ly Thai To’s contributions. As the incense smoke gently curled through the historic grounds, it served as a bridge between past and present, evoking remembrance of the king’s legacy and reminding today’s generation of their responsibility to honor and uphold the heritage left by their forebears.
This commemoration not only serves as an act of homage but also as a reminder to today’s society of their responsibility towards history and the heritage bequeathed by their ancestors. From his strategic decision to relocate the capital to his sustainable nation-building policies, King Ly Thai To’s historical values remain pertinent, guiding the country’s development today.
The Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, the venue for the ceremony, has been a political center through various dynasties and stands as a vivid testament to the nation’s heroic history. Hosting the ceremony here underscores the importance of preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage.
In recent years, significant achievements have been made in conserving the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, including restoration efforts, research, and heritage promotion. The memorial ceremony was not only an occastion to express deep gratitude to the former sovereign, but also an opportunity to reflect on the journey of heritage preservation and to reaffirm each citizen’s duty in preserving the roots of the nation.
As the ceremony concluded, the lingering fragrance of incense served as a heartfelt tribute to the wise king who laid the groundwork for Thang Long–Hanoi. This commemmorative event bore not only historical significance but also continued the tradition of honoring ancestors and protecting cultural values of the nation, fostering national pride and patriotism in the hearts of all Vietnamese people.
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