THUA THIEN - HUE (VNS) — Vietnamese people in the old days put up tall bamboo poles with red garment strips hanging from them during Tet, believing that poles prevented ghosts and monsters from entering the community during the holiday. The tradition of raising the neu (or Tet) pole remains alive today in many villages and homes around the country.

Viet Nam News reporter Phuoc Buu captures scenes of the Tet pole-raising ceremony being re-enacted in the former Royal Palace in Hue today (February 11).

A procession of people dressed in costumes of royal mandarins, soldiers and musicians enters the former Royal Palace. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Soldiers carry a long bamboo tree to be used as the Tet pole. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

The procession includes a music troupe playing nha nhac (Hue royal court music) . — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

The procession goes further inside the palace, where the pole will be put up. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

At the site, an altar is set for praying to the gods before the pole is raised. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Soldiers await orders with the bamboo pole on their shoulders during the ritual ceremony. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Joint power helps to raise the pole. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

The pole is up successfully, signaling the coming of a happy Tet. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu