TL;DR: The Ram thang Gieng offering tray, also called Tet Nguyen Tieu, is usually divided into two parts: one vegetarian tray for the Buddha and deities, and one tray for ancestors that can be vegetarian or savory depending on regional custom. There is no mandatory nationwide standard for arrangement, but the general principle is to keep it neat, pure, with enough incense, lamps, flowers, fruit, tea, and wine, placed in a solemn spot. Many families also light extra lamps and candles for the Nguyen Tieu lamp-lighting custom.
What Is Ram thang Gieng and Why Must We Arrange an Offering Tray?
Ram thang Gieng is the 15th day of the first lunar month, also called Tet Nguyen Tieu. Nguyen means first, and Tieu means night, so Tet Nguyen Tieu is understood as the first full-moon night of the new year[1]. In folk belief, this is the first full moon 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 is no less important than Tet Nguyen Dan, because it is the first full offering ceremony after the Tet holiday. The Ram thang Gieng ceremony is held solemnly in most regions across the country, not only at home but also at pagodas, temples, and shrines[5]. Folk sayings such as "Offering all year is not equal to Ram thang Gieng" or "Worshipping the Buddha all year is not equal to the Ram thang Gieng day" show the special place of this day in spiritual life[1].
In Buddhism, Ram thang Gieng is an important festival; Buddhists believe the Buddha's compassionate light has strong dharma power that shines upon the world[1]. In Taoism, the offering on this day is also called the Thuong Nguyen ceremony[1]. Therefore, the Ram thang Gieng tray carries meaning as an offering to the Buddha, to deities, and to ancestors, and its arrangement often reflects the blending of these belief layers.
How Many Trays Does a Ram thang Gieng Offering Include?
According to traditional custom, many families prepare two trays: one for the Buddha and deities, and one for ancestors[6]. The Buddha tray is usually vegetarian with incense, flowers, and lamps, expressing purity. The ancestor tray is more flexible, and can be vegetarian or savory depending on regional custom and each family's circumstances[6].
In addition, some families have an outdoor tray for the deities governing the area, or a tray for Tho Cong and Tao Quan. However, there is no mandatory rule on the number of trays nationwide. In folk belief, the most important thing is sincere reverence, not the number of trays or how full they are.
One notable point: cultural researcher Pham Dinh Hai says that unlike Tet Nguyen Dan, which often features a full tray, the Ram thang Gieng tray prioritizes purity[4]. Householders should display more fresh flowers and fruit, sweet cakes, che and xoi, and especially should light extra lamps and candles to symbolize light and wisdom, following the Nguyen Tieu lamp-lighting custom[4].
What Dishes Are on a Ram thang Gieng Offering Tray?
Vegetarian Tray for the Buddha and Deities
The vegetarian tray usually includes these groups of offerings:
- Incense, lamps, candles: indispensable in any offering tray, symbolizing the connection between the offerer and the spiritual world.
- Fresh flowers: usually chrysanthemums, gladiolus, gerbera, or lotus. Avoid flowers with sharp thorns or wilted flowers.
- Tea, wine, water: tea and white wine are usually poured into small cups, placed beside the tray.
- Xoi and che: gac sticky rice, mung bean sticky rice, or five-color sticky rice; che troi nuoc is chosen by many families, with the wish for a smooth and flowing new year[6].
- Sweet cakes, banh phu the: many families prepare red banh phu the, or other traditional cakes[3].
- Other vegetarian dishes: spring rolls, vegetarian patties, vegetarian gio, vegetable soup, vegetarian fried noodles. Ms. Vu Thu Huong in Hanoi shares that her vegetarian tray includes gac sticky rice, vegetable soup, spring rolls, vegetarian patties, and vegetarian gio[3].
Savory Tray for Ancestors
The savory ancestor tray is more flexible, depending on circumstances and custom. Some common dishes:
- Xoi and boiled chicken: xoi and chicken are a familiar pair on the Ram thang Gieng tray[1].
- Boiled meat, pork leg: boiled pork leg or sliced boiled pork.
- Nem, cha: fried spring rolls, cha lua, cha que.
- Soup, vegetables: bamboo shoot soup, bong soup, or seasonal vegetable soup.
- Shrimp, fish: steamed shrimp with coconut water, fried or braised fish.
- Dessert: seasonal fresh fruit, cakes and candies.
Culinary artisan Pham Thi Anh Tuyet (Hanoi) says that a traditional Ram thang Gieng offering consists of a vegetarian tray for Heaven and the Buddha and a savory tray for the ancestors[4]. Ms. Huong Giang (from Hung Yen) shares that her family's tray includes five-color sticky rice, steamed shrimp with coconut water, boiled pork leg, bow-shaped nem, and stir-fried noodles with beef[3].
How to Arrange the Ram thang Gieng Offering Tray Beautifully
General Arrangement Principles
There is no mandatory nationwide standard for arranging the Ram thang Gieng tray. However, some general principles are applied by many families:
- Place the tray in a solemn, clean place: the Buddha altar, ancestor altar, or deity altar. The worship space should be cleaned before arranging the offerings[4].
- Arrange from inside to outside: incense and lamps in the center, flowers and fruit on both sides, the food tray in front.
- Harmonious colors: combine the green of vegetables, the red of gac sticky rice, and the yellow of chrysanthemums for brightness.
- Number of plates and bowls: not too many, but should be sufficient, without empty spaces.
- Neat presentation: food is placed on small plates, not overflowing.
How to Arrange the Vegetarian Tray
The vegetarian tray is usually placed on the Buddha altar or deity altar. Suggested arrangement:
- Place a plate of xoi in the center, vegetarian dishes around it.
- Fruit on both sides or in front.
- Cups of water and tea beside the tray.
- Lamps and candles lit on both sides.
How to Arrange the Savory Tray
The savory ancestor tray is usually placed on the ancestor altar or main altar. Suggested arrangement:
- Xoi and boiled chicken in the center.
- Other savory dishes arranged around.
- Bowl of soup in front.
- Wine and tea poured into small cups.
What Are the Taboos When Arranging the Ram thang Gieng Offering Tray?
In folk belief, some things to avoid when arranging the Ram thang Gieng tray:
- Do not place the tray too high above the altar: the tray should be level with or lower than the altar surface.
- Do not use artificial or wilted flowers: fresh flowers symbolize life, wilted flowers carry bad meaning.
- Do not leave the tray overnight: offerings should be taken down and shared during the day.
- Do not argue during the ceremony: family members should keep a cheerful, harmonious attitude, avoiding arguments to maintain purity[4].
- Do not use dog meat, cat meat, or dishes tabooed by local custom: each region has its own taboos.
What Time to Offer on Ram thang Gieng and What Is the Order of Offering?
Regarding timing, folk custom usually offers on the 15th lunar day, from early morning to evening. Some families offer from the night of the 14th (the night before the full moon) until the end of the 15th, because Ram thang Gieng is counted from midnight of the 14th to the end of the 15th lunar day[1].
The traditional order of offering:
1. Light incense, lamps, candles. 2. Offer flowers, fruit, tea, wine. 3. Offer the vegetarian tray to the Buddha and deities. 4. Offer the savory tray to ancestors. 5. Read the prayer. 6. Take down the offerings, share the blessings.
What Does the Ram thang Gieng Prayer Include?
After arranging the tray, the householder should read the Ram thang Gieng prayer to offer to the Buddha, ancestors, and pray for a prosperous, peaceful new year[2].
The Ram thang Gieng prayer according to Van khan co truyen Viet Nam (Traditional Vietnamese Prayers, Van Hoa Thong Tin Publishing House) opens as follows:
"I bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions. I respectfully bow to Hoang Thien, Hau Tho, and all venerable deities. I respectfully bow to the Ban Canh Thanh Hoang, the Ban Xu Tho Dia, the Ban Gia Tao Quan, and all venerable deities. I respectfully bow to the Cao Tang To Khao, Cao Tang To Ty..."[2]
Another prayer sample published by VietnamPlus reads:
"Namo Amitabha Buddha! I bow to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions. I respectfully bow to Hoang Thien, Hau Tho, and all venerable deities. I respectfully bow to the Ban Gia Tho Dia Long Mach. I respectfully bow to the Ngu Phuong, Ngu Tho, and Phuc Duc Tong Than. I respectfully bow to the Tien Hau Dia Chu Tai Than. The believer (we) am: ... Residing at: ... Today is the Ram thang Gieng day of the year ..., the believer sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea and fruit, lights a fragrant incense stick and offers it before the altar."[5]
Householders can refer to these prayer samples, or use their family's own prayer if there is a tradition.
How Are Ram thang Gieng Offering Trays Different Across Regions?
The main difference lies in the savory tray for the ancestors, which is prepared according to region and each family's means[4]. Common dishes according to VietNamNet:
| Region | Common dishes on the savory tray for ancestors |
|---|---|
| Northern Vietnam | Boiled chicken, sticky rice, gio cha pork roll, fried spring rolls, pork leg stewed with dried bamboo shoots, bong (puffed pork skin) soup[4] |
| Central Vietnam | Braised fish, ram rolls, boiled pork, xoi vo (mung bean sticky rice)[4] |
| Southern Vietnam | Bitter melon soup, thit kho tau (pork braised with eggs), shrimp and pork salad[4] |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ram thang Gieng Offering Tray
Is It Necessary to Offer Savory Food on Ram thang Gieng?
Not necessarily. Monks encourage Buddhists to prepare a vegetarian tray. In the Buddhist spirit, offering vegetarian food shows compassion, limits killing, and nurtures a good and pure mind[6]. A vegetarian tray with fruit, xoi, che, bean dishes, and vegetables symbolizes lightness and purity, suitable for the worship space and the spirit of goodness[6]. Practically, a vegetarian tray is also light, less expensive, limits waste, and suits the pace of urban life[6].
However, many families still prepare an additional savory tray for ancestors as a way to show reverence to grandparents and ancestors. This depends entirely on family custom and actual circumstances.
What Time Should We Offer on Ram thang Gieng?
In folk belief, one can offer on Ram thang Gieng from early morning to evening on the 15th lunar day. Some families offer from the night of the 14th (the night before the full moon) until the end of the 15th, because Ram thang Gieng is counted from midnight of the 14th to the end of the 15th lunar day[1].
The choice of specific time depends on the work conditions of family members. The important thing is sincerity, not the exact time.
Is It Necessary to Offer at the Pagoda on Ram thang Gieng?
Not mandatory, but many people choose to go to the pagoda on this day. Besides offering at home, people also go to pagodas, temples, make offerings, release living beings, and do many good deeds[5]. Many pagodas and worship places also hold peace-praying ceremonies on this day[5].
If going to the pagoda, householders can prepare a simple vegetarian offering such as incense, flowers, and fruit, or register for a peace-praying ceremony at the pagoda.
How to Arrange the Ram thang Gieng Tray to Suit Your Family?
There is no single formula for a standard Ram thang Gieng tray for every family. The most important thing is sincere reverence 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 practice, arrange a pure vegetarian tray with fruit, xoi, che, and simple vegetarian dishes.
- If your family offers savory food: you can prepare a savory tray for ancestors with xoi and chicken, fried spring rolls, soup, and familiar dishes.
- If you live in the city and have little time: you can choose a light tray with fruit, sweet cakes, che and xoi, and light lamps and candles following the Nguyen Tieu lamp-lighting custom[4].
- If conditions allow: prepare two full trays, one vegetarian for the Buddha and one savory for ancestors, following traditional custom[6].
However you arrange it, keep the family atmosphere warm and harmonious on Ram thang Gieng. Avoid arguments, keep a pure mind, and share the blessings together after taking down the offerings. That is the true meaning of Tet Nguyen Tieu.
