There is an important ritual in our country that started during the Lê dynasty and was maintained until the Nguyễn dynasty, reflecting the spirit of valuing agriculture, bidding farewell to the cold air of winter and welcoming a warm new spring, a year of favorable rain and wind. This is the ritual of Tiến Xuân Ngưu (or the Nghênh Xuân ceremony), meaning to offer a clay bull in spring.

The Đại Nam thực lục records: "In 1829, the Ministry of Rites reported: 'Respectfully considering the celestial lunar decree of the ceremonial regulations in the month of the cold season, the Right Department ordered a clay bull to be brought out to dispel the cold air. The sage mentioned that the month starts with the ox (December), the ox represents the bull, which belongs to the earth element, as earth can contain water, thus making a clay bull to dispel all the cold air. It is also said: earth conquers water, and the bull is good at plowing. By conquering water, it can fend off the cold; being good at plowing can indicate the timing of farming activities early or late.'"