Is roasted pork or boiled chicken mandatory for an opening ceremony?

No, it's optional. Roasted pork or boiled chicken is common for larger companies or those who can afford it. Small shops can offer just the five-fruit tray, flowers, incense, candles, and basic items. Sincerity matters most.

What if my shop is in a shopping mall where burning votive paper is prohibited?

If votive burning is prohibited, substitute with flowers, tea, clean water, and sincere prayer. Many malls have centralized votive burning areas,ask management. If unavailable, skipping this step is acceptable as long as the ritual is done respectfully.

Can I recite my own prayer instead of a traditional text?

Absolutely. If you don't have traditional prayer texts, you can sincerely pray in your own words,state your name, date, location, purpose, and express wishes for good luck and success. Sincerity and focus are what matter.

Proper opening ceremony offering

General Introduction to the Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for a shop or company is a common custom in the business culture of Vietnamese people, carrying spiritual meaning as a prayer for smoothness, good luck and prosperity before operations begin. This ritual expresses the sincerity of the business owner toward the deities and the Earth God who governs the area, and at the same time creates a firm, reassured state of mind for the owner and employees.

It should be emphasised that this is a reference custom, and may differ slightly depending on each region, trade and family tradition. There is no single template that applies absolutely to every case. This article gathers the most basic and common steps for readers to consult and apply flexibly to suit their own specific circumstances.

Table summarising the steps for performing the opening ceremony according to the article.

Step	What to do	Note
1	Choose an auspicious date and time	Should choose an auspicious date and time compatible with the business owner's age
2	Clean and arrange	Clean the shop or office area thoroughly, ensure it is airy
3	Light candles and incense	Light 2 candles first, then light incense, usually 3 sticks
4	Read the prayer	Can be read aloud or silently, one should not make it up
5	Wait for the incense to burn down and burn the votive paper	Wait for the incense to burn about 2/3 or 15 to 20 minutes, do not burn it indoors
6	Take down the offerings and finish	Do it gently and reverently

What offerings need to be prepared for the opening ceremony?

Preparing the offerings carefully shows reverence. Below is a list of commonly used offerings, which can be adjusted according to circumstances:

Five-fruit tray: consisting of 5 different fruits, usually brightly coloured ones with lucky meanings such as soursop, coconut, papaya, mango, orange/mandarin.
Fresh flowers: a vase of yellow chrysanthemums or gerbera daisies, gladioli, depending on preference and the meaning of each type.
Incense: 1 bundle or 3 sticks of clean, good quality incense.
Candles: 2 red or yellow candles.
Betel and areca: a plate of betel leaves trimmed in the phoenix wing shape or betel leaves with areca nut.
Plain rice wine: 1 small bottle and 3 cups.
Clean water: 1 bottle or a flask of water and 3 cups.
Dry tea: a little to brew, along with a teapot and cups.
Rice and salt: a small plate of rice and a small plate of coarse salt.
Votive paper and joss paper: a set of clothing, hats and boots for the deities and the Earth God, along with gold ingots and hell money.
Cakes and sweets: a plate of assorted cakes and sweets.
Roast suckling pig (optional): usually used for companies and large shops, can be replaced with boiled chicken.
Cigarettes, betel and areca: if there is a local habit.
One boiled rooster (optional, replacing the roast pig): a whole boiled rooster, fresh and good.

How should the offering tray for the opening ceremony be arranged?

Overall arrangement

The opening ceremony offering tray is usually placed in a solemn, clean, airy position. If the shop is on spacious grounds, the tray can be placed in front of the main door or in the yard. If it is a small premises in a building or shopping centre, the tray can be placed inside, facing the main door.

Order of arranging the offerings

Place the five-fruit tray in the central position at the front, at the highest point.
Place the flower vase to the left or right of the five-fruit tray, depending on the space.
Place the plate of betel and areca, the plate of cakes and sweets, and the rice and salt at the front or around them.
Place the roast suckling pig or boiled chicken in a solemn position, at the front or in the middle of the tray.
Arrange the cups of wine, cups of water and cups of tea in a horizontal row at the front, 3 cups of each kind.
Place incense and candles in their own position, usually on either side or in front of the offering tray, on a vase or a dedicated base.
Keep the votive paper and joss paper in a separate corner, not placed together on the main offering tray, usually placed below or to the side so that after the ceremony it can be burned.

Sequence for performing the ritual

Step 1: Choose an auspicious date and time

According to folk belief, one should choose an auspicious date and time compatible with the business owner's age. Many people often consult a good day and good month before proceeding. This is a spiritual factor, not mandatory, but is taken seriously by many people.

Step 2: Clean and arrange

Before the ceremony, the shop or office area needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Arrange the offering tray according to the instructions above. Ensure the ceremony area is airy and free of obstacles.

Step 3: Light candles and incense

The business owner or representative lights 2 candles first, then lights incense (usually 3 sticks). When lighting incense, use the right hand, raise the incense to forehead level and pray.

Step 4: Read the prayer

The person officiating reads the prayer text (can be read aloud or silently in the mind). The main content of the prayer usually includes:

Declaring one's name: I am..., born in..., representing the company/shop... at the address...
Respectful announcement: Today is the... day of the... month of the... year, on the occasion of the opening, we sincerely prepare offerings and respectfully present them to the deities, the Earth God and the Kitchen God who govern this place.
Petition: We respectfully ask the deities to witness our sincerity and to bless and support the business so that it sails smoothly with the wind, trade goes well and sales are good, all matters proceed smoothly, employees stay in good health, and business brings prosperity and fortune.
Conclusion: We sincerely present the offerings, and respectfully ask for witness and blessing. Nam mo A Di Đà Phật (if following Buddhism) or a traditional closing phrase.

Note: The content of the prayer can be found in traditional prayer books or reliable sources, and one should not make it up. If none is available, one can pray silently in one's own sincere words.

Step 5: Wait for the incense to burn down and burn the votive paper

After reading the prayer, wait for the incense to burn about 2/3 (or an estimated 15 to 20 minutes), then begin burning the votive paper. When burning the votive paper, place the joss paper in a safe place and burn it until it is completely consumed. Absolutely do not burn joss paper indoors or in a place with flammable objects.

Step 6: Take down the offerings and finish

After the joss paper has burned completely, the offerings can be taken down. The offerings after the ceremony can be kept for the family, employees, or shared with everyone. Taking down the offerings should be done gently and reverently.

What should be noted about safety and culture when performing the opening ceremony?

Fire and explosion safety: When lighting incense, candles or burning joss paper, someone needs to watch over it, and it should be kept away from flammable objects. Always have water or a fire extinguisher ready. After burning the joss paper, make sure the fire is completely out before leaving.
Clothing: One should wear polite, modest, neat clothing when performing the ritual.
Attitude: Keep a reverent, focused attitude, do not laugh and joke or hold private conversations during the ceremony.
Flexible adjustment: Depending on the scale, trade and economic conditions, the offerings can be adjusted to suit. The most important thing is still sincerity.
Respecting regulations: If the shop is in an area with its own regulations on burning joss paper, follow them and you can substitute another form such as offering flowers or offering tea.