Nam Giao Altar

The Nam Giao Altar: A Sacred Ceremonial Platform, a Spiritual Treasure of the Nguyen Dynasty, and Still Used by the Current Government.

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Construction began on March 25, 1806, during the early reign of the first Nguyen Dynasty king, Gia Long.

The Nam Giao Altar ceremony was once a ritual classified as a major state ceremony, a significant event for the Nguyen court, and only the king had the right to perform it.

After the Lunar New Year, the Khâm Thiên Giám (Imperial Astronomical Observatory) – the agency in charge of the calendar under the Nguyen Dynasty – would select an auspicious day and submit it to the king for approval. Once the date was chosen, the court would proceed with preparations for the Heaven Offering Ceremony at the Nam Giao Altar.

One day before the ceremony, starting from the fifth watch (around 3-5 AM), the Imperial Guards would fully equip themselves with flags, spears, and armor, surrounding the altar both inside and outside, as well as other areas at the altar such as the Royal Kitchen, Royal Storage, and Royal Abstinence Palace. Soldiers from the military units would stand in strict formation along both sides of the royal procession route, extending from the Imperial City to Phu Van Lau Wharf, across the south bank of the Perfume River to the Nam Giao Altar. The elders from the six districts of Thua Thien Prefecture would set up incense altars along both sides of the road from the ferry pier to the altar, kneeling to welcome and bid farewell to the royal carriage until the king was settled at the Royal Abstinence Palace.

When the king's procession returned to the palace, music and drums would be played throughout the journey to inform the public that the Heaven Offering Ceremony at the Nam Giao Altar had been successfully completed, and the wishes for peace and prosperity had been acknowledged by the supernatural beings.