The ritual, an offering to the God of Earth and the God of Cereals for favourable weather and bumper crops, was introduced into the Hue Festival programme for the first time.

The Hue Festival Organising Board described the event as a chance to honour the country’s traditional and cultural values as well as wet rice cultivation.

To prepare for the ceremony, Thua Thien-Hue province restored the Xa Tac altar which was built in 1806 during King Gia Long’s reign.

The event and restoration was also a move toward preserving the ritual and submitting it to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage.

During the festival, an art performance “Royal Night” saw international art troupes perform royal court music, royal dances and Hue folk songs alongside local artists.