TL;DR: The Rằm tháng Giêng (Tết Nguyên tiêu) offering tray is usually divided into two parts: a vegetarian tray for the Buddha and deities, and a tray for ancestors that may be vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on regional custom. The traditional northern non-vegetarian tray is often arranged as four bowls and six plates: four bowls of bamboo shoot soup, bóng soup, glass noodles, and mọc; six plates of boiled chicken, giò chả, fried nem, stir-fried vegetables, pickled onions, and sticky rice or bánh chưng. There is no single mandatory arrangement nationwide, but the general principle is neatness, purity, enough incense and lamps, flowers and fruit, tea and wine, and placing the tray in a solemn place. The Buddha tray uses clean water or tea and does not include joss paper; joss paper, betel and areca, and wine belong on the ancestor tray. Many households also light additional lamps or candles for the custom of lighting Nguyên tiêu lamps.
What is Rằm tháng Giêng and why must an offering tray be arranged?
Rằm tháng Giêng is the 15th day of the first lunar month, also called Tết Nguyên tiêu. The word Nguyên means first, the word tiêu means night, so Tết Nguyên tiêu is understood as the first full-moon night of the new year[1]. In folk belief, this is the first full moon night of the year, believed to be the time when spiritual energy gathers most strongly, suitable for praying for luck, fortune and peace for the whole family[1].
For Vietnamese people, this full moon day is no less important than Tết Nguyên đán, because it is the first full offering ritual after the Tết period. The Rằm tháng Giêng ceremony is held solemnly in most regions across the country, not only at home but also at pagodas, temples and shrines[5]. Folk sayings go "Cúng cả năm không bằng Rằm tháng Giêng" or "Lễ Phật quanh năm không bằng ngày rằm tháng Giêng", showing the special place of this day in spiritual life[1].
In Buddhism, Rằm tháng Giêng is an important festival day; Buddhists believe that the light of the Buddha's compassion has powerful dharma energy, shining over the human world[1]. In Taoism, the offering ceremony on this day is also called the Thượng nguyên ceremony[1]. For this reason, the Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray carries the meaning of being offered to the Buddha, to the deities, and to the ancestors, and the way it is arranged often reflects the blending of these many layers of belief.
How many trays does a Rằm tháng Giêng offering consist of?
According to traditional custom, many families prepare two offering trays: one tray offered to the Buddha and the deities, one tray offered to the ancestors[6]. The tray offered to the Buddha is usually a vegetarian offering with incense, flowers, lamps and candles, expressing purity. The tray offered to the ancestors is more flexible, and can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on regional custom and each household's circumstances[6].
In addition, some families also have an outdoor offering tray for the deities who govern the area, or a tray offered to Thổ công and Táo quân. However, there is no mandatory rule about the number of trays for the whole country. The most important thing in folk belief is sincere devotion, not the number of trays or how tall and full they are.
One point worth noting: cultural researcher Phạm Đình Hải holds that unlike Tết Nguyên đán, when tall, full trays are usually offered, the Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray gives priority to purity[4]. The head of the household should display plenty of fresh flowers and fruit, cakes, sweet soup and sticky rice, and especially should light extra lamps and candles to symbolise light and wisdom, following the custom of lighting Nguyên tiêu lamps[4].
What dishes does a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray include?
The vegetarian tray offered to the Buddha and deities
The vegetarian tray usually includes the following groups of offerings:
- Incense, lamps and candles: indispensable in any offering tray, symbolising the connection between the worshipper and the spiritual world.
- Fresh flowers: chrysanthemums, gladioli, gerbera daisies or lotus flowers are usually chosen. Avoid flowers with sharp thorns or wilted flowers.
- Tea, wine, water: tea and plain rice wine are usually poured into small cups and placed beside the tray.
- Sticky rice and sweet soup: gấc sticky rice, mung bean sticky rice, or five-colour sticky rice; chè trôi nước is the dish many families choose, with the wish for a smooth, flowing new year[6].
- Cakes and bánh phu thê: many families prepare red bánh phu thê, or other traditional cakes[3].
- Other vegetarian dishes: fresh spring rolls, vegetarian pâté, vegetarian sausage, vegetable soup, vegetarian fried macaroni. Ms Vũ Thu Hương in Hà Nội shares that her vegetarian offering tray includes gấc sticky rice, vegetable soup, fresh spring rolls, vegetarian pâté and vegetarian sausage[3].
To make preparation easier, the vegetarian menu can be divided into groups of dishes:
- Starches: gấc sticky rice, lotus seed sticky rice, lotus rice or plain rice.
- Braised and stir-fried dishes: braised tofu, pepper-braised mushrooms, stir-fried vegetables.
- Soups: vegetable soup, lotus seed soup, seaweed soup.
- Appetisers and desserts: vegetarian spring rolls, lotus root salad, longan and lotus seed sweet soup.
Dividing into groups this way helps the vegetarian tray be nutritious enough, harmonious in colour, and not too elaborate. Phan Kế Bính's book records that vegetarian feasts at pagodas in the past were made entirely from beans, potato flour and sesame, prepared into all kinds of dishes that looked like sausage, pâté, bóng and squid. That is a way of cooking vegetarian food that imitates non-vegetarian dishes, different from today's group-based menu approach, but sharing the same spirit of lightness and purity.
The non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors
The non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors is more flexible, depending on circumstances and custom. Some commonly seen dishes:
- Sticky rice and boiled chicken: sticky rice with chicken is a familiar pair on the Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray[1].
- Boiled meat, pork leg: boiled pork leg or sliced boiled pork.
- Spring rolls, pâté: fried spring rolls, chả lụa, chả quế.
- Soup, vegetables: bamboo shoot soup, bóng soup, or seasonal vegetable soup.
- Shrimp, fish: coconut water steamed shrimp, fried or braised fish.
- Dessert: seasonal fresh fruit, cakes and sweets.
According to the traditional structure of the northern non-vegetarian feast tray, the tray is usually arranged in the style of "four bowls, six plates"[^n]. The four bowls are bamboo shoot soup, bóng soup, glass noodles and mọc. The six plates are boiled chicken, sausage and pâté, fried spring rolls, stir-fried vegetables, pickled onions and sticky rice (or bánh chưng). This is the framework many northern families still follow, while the specific dishes depend on the season and the household.
Culinary artisan Phạm Thị Ánh Tuyết (Hà Nội) says that a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray truly in keeping with tradition includes a vegetarian feast tray offered to heaven and the Buddha and a non-vegetarian feast tray offered to the ancestors[4]. Ms Hương Giang (from Hưng Yên) shares that her family's offering tray includes five-colour sticky rice, coconut water steamed shrimp, boiled pork leg, spring rolls shaped like bows, and stir-fried macaroni with beef[3].
How to arrange a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray beautifully
General arrangement principles
There is no mandatory standard for the whole country on how to arrange a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray. However, some general principles are applied by many families:
- Place the offering tray in a solemn, clean place: the Buddha altar, the ancestor altar, or the altar of the deities. The worship space needs to be cleaned before the offerings are arranged[4].
- Arrange from the inside out: incense and lamps placed in the centre, flowers and fruit on both sides, the feast tray placed in front.
- Harmonious colours: combine the green of vegetables, the red of gấc sticky rice, the yellow of chrysanthemums to create brightness.
- Number of plates and bowls: not too many, but they should be full, with no empty spaces.
- Neat presentation: food is placed on small plates, not spilling over the edges.
One point that needs to be clearly distinguished is that the offerings of the two trays are not the same. The tray offered to the Buddha uses only clean water or tea, and no votive paper is placed on it. Votive paper, betel and areca, and wine belong to the ancestor tray; wine is usually poured into 3 or 5 small cups. Many households combine everything on one table, but if following the old way, they should be kept separate like this.
How to arrange the vegetarian tray
The vegetarian tray is usually arranged on the Buddha altar or the altar of the deities. Suggested arrangement:
- Place a plate of sticky rice in the middle, with the vegetarian dishes around it.
- Place flowers and fruit on both sides or in front.
- Place cups of water and tea beside the tray.
- Light lamps and candles on both sides.
How to arrange the non-vegetarian tray
The non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors is usually arranged on the ancestor altar or the main altar. Suggested arrangement:
- Place sticky rice and boiled chicken in the middle.
- Arrange the other non-vegetarian dishes around.
- Place the bowl of soup in front.
- Pour wine and tea into small cups.
What taboos are there when arranging a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray?
In folk belief, some things should be avoided when arranging a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray:
- Do not arrange the offering tray too high compared with the altar: the offering tray should be placed level with or lower than the altar surface.
- Do not use artificial or wilted flowers: fresh flowers symbolise life, while wilted flowers carry a bad meaning.
- Do not leave the offering tray overnight: the offerings should be taken down and shared in the same day.
- Do not argue while performing the ritual: family members need to keep a cheerful, gentle attitude, avoiding arguments in order to preserve purity[4].
- Do not use dog meat, cat meat, or dishes avoided according to local custom: different regions have their own particular taboos.
When is the Rằm tháng Giêng offering time and what is the order of presenting the offerings?
As for the time of offering, people usually make the offering on the 15th day of the lunar month, and it can be done from early morning to late afternoon. Some families make the offering from the night of the 14th (the night before the full moon) until the end of the 15th day, because Rằm tháng Giêng is counted from the middle of the night of the 14th to the end of the 15th day of the lunar month[1].
The traditional order of presenting the offerings:
- Light incense, lamps and candles.
- Present flowers and fruit, tea and wine.
- Present the vegetarian feast tray on the altar of the Buddha and deities.
- Present the non-vegetarian feast tray on the ancestor altar.
- Read the prayer text.
- Take down the offerings and share the blessed food.
What does the Rằm tháng Giêng prayer text include?
After arranging the offering tray, the head of the household should read the Rằm tháng Giêng prayer text to offer to heaven and the Buddha, to the ancestors, and to pray for a new year of plenty and peace[2].
The Rằm tháng Giêng prayer text according to Văn khấn cổ truyền Việt Nam (Vietnam Traditional Prayer Texts, published by Văn hóa Thông tin Publishing House) opens as follows:
"I bow before the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of the Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions. I reverently bow before Hoàng thiên, Hậu thổ, and the revered deities. I reverently bow before the Bản cảnh Thành hoàng, the Bản xứ Thổ địa, the Bản gia Táo quân and the revered deities. I reverently bow before the Cao tằng Tổ khảo, Cao tằng Tổ tỷ..."[2]
Another prayer text sample published by VietnamPlus reads:
"Namo Amitabha Buddha! I bow before the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of the Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions. I reverently bow before Hoàng thiên, Hậu Thổ, and the revered deities. I reverently bow before the Bản gia thổ địa Long Mạch. I reverently bow before the Ngũ phương, Ngũ thổ, Phúc đức Tông thần. I reverently bow before the tiền hậu địa chủ tài thần. The believer (we) is: ... Residing at: ... Today is the day of Rằm tháng Giêng of the year ..., the believer wholeheartedly prepares incense, flowers, offerings, votive paper, tea and fruit, and burns fragrant incense to present before the altar."[5]
The head of the household can refer to these prayer text samples, or use the family's own prayer text if there is such a tradition.
How does the Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray differ between regions?
The main difference lies in the non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors, which is prepared according to the region and the economic circumstances of each family[4]. Commonly seen dishes according to VietNamNet:
| Region | Commonly seen dishes on the non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors |
|---|---|
| The North | Boiled chicken, sticky rice, sausage and pâté, fried spring rolls, pork leg stewed with dried bamboo shoots, bóng soup, thịt đông, stir-fried glass noodles, salad[4] |
| The Central region | Braised fish, rolled ram, boiled meat dipped in shrimp paste, xôi vò[4] |
| The South | Bitter melon soup stuffed with meat, thịt kho tàu, shrimp and pork salad, bánh tét[4] |
What dishes are in the four-bowl, six-plate non-vegetarian feast tray?
The four-bowl, six-plate non-vegetarian feast tray consists of four bowls: bamboo shoot soup, bóng soup, glass noodles and mọc; and six plates: boiled chicken, sausage and pâté, fried spring rolls, stir-fried vegetables, pickled onions and sticky rice or bánh chưng[^n]. This is the traditional feast framework of northerners, often seen on death anniversaries, Tết and major full moon festivals.
It should be stated clearly that this is the northern way of arranging the tray, not a general rule for the whole country. The dishes in each bowl and each plate vary by region, by season and by each household's circumstances. The Central region and the South have their own characteristic dishes, as the table in the section above sets out, so the four-bowl, six-plate framework should not be applied wholesale to every place.
Frequently asked questions about the Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray
Is it absolutely necessary to make a non-vegetarian offering on Rằm tháng Giêng?
It is not absolutely necessary. Monks encourage Buddhists to prepare a vegetarian offering tray. In the spirit of Buddhism, presenting a vegetarian offering expresses compassion, limits the killing of living beings, nurtures a good heart and purity[6]. A vegetarian offering tray with flowers and fruit, sticky rice, sweet soup, bean dishes and vegetables symbolises gentleness and cleanliness, suits the worship space and the spirit of striving for good[6]. From a practical point of view, a vegetarian offering tray is also light, less costly, limits waste and suits the pace of urban life[6].
However, many families still prepare an additional non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors as a way of expressing sincere devotion to grandparents and ancestors. This depends entirely on family custom and actual circumstances.
What time should the Rằm tháng Giêng offering be made?
In folk belief, the Rằm tháng Giêng offering can be made from early morning to late afternoon on the 15th day of the lunar month. Some families make the offering from the night of the 14th (the night before the full moon) until the end of the 15th day, because Rằm tháng Giêng is counted from the middle of the night of the 14th to the end of the 15th day of the lunar month[1].
The choice of a specific offering time depends on the working circumstances of the family members. What matters is sincere devotion, not an exact time.
Is it necessary to make the Rằm tháng Giêng offering at a pagoda?
It is not compulsory, but many people choose to go to a pagoda on this day. Besides making offerings at home, people also go to pagodas and temples, make offerings, release living beings and do many good deeds[5]. Many pagodas and worship places also hold cầu an (prayer for peace and safety) ceremonies on this very day[5].
If going to a pagoda, the head of the household can prepare a simple vegetarian offering such as incense, flowers and fruit, or register for a cầu an (prayer for peace and safety) ceremony at the pagoda.
How to arrange a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray to suit your family?
There is no single formula for a Rằm tháng Giêng offering tray that is standard for every family. The most important thing is sincere devotion and solemnity in the worship space. You can refer to the following suggestions:
- If your family has a tradition of vegetarian offerings: keep the old way, arrange a pure vegetarian tray with flowers and fruit, sticky rice, sweet soup and simple vegetarian dishes.
- If your family makes non-vegetarian offerings: you can prepare a non-vegetarian tray offered to the ancestors with sticky rice and chicken, fried spring rolls, soup and familiar dishes.
- If you live in the city and have little time: you can choose a light offering tray with flowers and fruit, cakes, sweet soup and sticky rice, and light lamps and candles following the custom of lighting Nguyên tiêu lamps[4].
- If circumstances allow: you should prepare both trays, one vegetarian offered to the Buddha and one non-vegetarian offered to the ancestors, following traditional custom[6].
Whichever way you arrange it, keep the family atmosphere warm and gentle on the day of Rằm tháng Giêng. Avoid arguments, keep your mind pure, and share the blessed food together after taking down the offerings. That is the true meaning of the Tết Nguyên tiêu day.
