Why do Vietnamese people choose an opening day for the Lunar New Year?
Choosing an opening day for the Lunar New Year is a familiar custom in Vietnamese cultural life, especially for small businesses and companies. In folk understanding, it is a way for the owner to show respect for the premises, for customers and for long-standing spiritual values. A good start is believed to bring a smooth year of business.
It should be said clearly: this is a reference custom, not a mandatory rule, and there is no evidence that the chosen date determines business outcomes. Revenue, reputation and product quality remain the deciding factors. The custom mainly serves as psychological reassurance and a way to kick off the new year.
What criteria are usually considered?
People usually weigh several factors at once, and the priority given to each varies by family.
- Auspicious days in the first lunar month: many choose the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th or 10th day of Tet. These are popular milestones, past the early-year taboos and early enough to resume work.
- The owner's age and zodiac: some check compatibility and avoid clashing days.
- Trade and customer base: restaurants, retailers and service offices see customers return at different times.
- Practical work schedules: whether staff are back, stock has arrived, and when the lease starts.
- Weather and traffic: avoid storms or travel peaks if you want a busy opening.
| Criterion | Common practice | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Day in the first lunar month | 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th of Tet | Solar dates differ each year, check a lunar calendar |
| Owner's age | Pick a compatible day, avoid clashes | Schools of calculation differ, no consensus |
| Trade | Open according to your season | Service businesses may open earlier |
| Staffing | Open only with enough people | Avoid opening short-staffed |
| Weather | Prefer dry days | North and South differ markedly |
How about the Đinh Mùi 2027 year?
Reference articles often list chosen days for a specific lunar year, for example for Bính Ngọ 2026 the 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th of Tet. For Đinh Mùi 2027 the principle is the same: check a lunar calendar to see which solar dates the 4th to 10th of Tet fall on, then compare with your age and work schedule.
Note that lists of auspicious days circulating online do not agree with each other, because each master and each book calculates differently. This article does not claim any list is authoritative. The safe approach is to pick a date that suits your practical conditions, treating the spiritual element as reference only.
What offerings should be prepared?
Offerings vary by region and scale. A common tray usually includes:
- Incense, lamps or candles
- Fresh flowers, often chrysanthemums, gerberas or gladioli
- A fruit plate, sometimes with five colours
- A pot of tea and several cups of water or tea, often three or five
- Sweet soup bowls, sticky rice plates, sometimes a savoury meal tray
- Sweets, candies and Tet jam
- A small plate of rice and salt
- A bowl of plain rice porridge
- Joss paper, if the family follows that custom
- Betel and areca, if following old traditions
For a small shop, many families prepare only a five-fruit tray, incense, flowers, tea and sweets. For a company, the tray is often fuller, with an altar placed at the centre of the frontage, facing outwards.
How to arrange the altar and the order of steps
Step 1: Choose where to place the altar
Place the offering table in a dignified spot, usually at the centre of the shopfront or where the Land and Wealth deities are worshipped. The table must be stable and out of walkways so it is not bumped while incense burns.
Step 2: Arrange the offerings
Flowers on one side, fruit on the other, incense and lamps in the middle. Tea and water in front. Rice, salt and porridge usually sit separately near the table edge. Keep it tidy, no need to be elaborate.
Step 3: Light incense and pray
Light the incense, raise it with both hands to forehead height and pray. The prayer usually includes your name, the shop address, the opening date, an invitation to the deities, Land deity, Kitchen deity and former occupants to witness, and a wish for smooth trade and prosperity. In a Buddhist format, the prayer may open with the Three Jewels and close with a dedication of merit.
Step 4: Wait for the incense and burn joss paper
Wait until the incense is nearly finished before burning joss paper. Safety note: burn in a well-ventilated place away from flammable materials, use a metal burner or basin, do not burn in an enclosed room, keep children and pets away, and always stay to watch until the fire is fully out. The same applies to candles and incense: fix them firmly, avoid draughts that could knock them over, and never place candles near curtains, wrapping paper or invoices.
Step 5: Open and welcome the first customer
After the ritual, open the doors, turn on the lights, create a lively atmosphere and welcome your first customer. Some believe the first customer of the year should be cheerful and age-compatible, but this is folk belief and should never lead to treating any customer differently.
Must you recite the classic prayer verbatim?
No. Classic prayers in books and on information sites are often long and full of Sino-Vietnamese wording. If you cannot recall it all, you may pray in your own words as long as you are sincere and include the basic information. Attitude matters more than length.
Common misunderstandings
- That only one correct date works: unfounded. Many shops open on popular dates and still struggle, and vice versa.
- That the opening date decides the whole year: business results depend on product, price, location, customer care and financial management.
- That burning more joss paper is more effective: the custom varies by region and family, and some do not burn at all. If you do, keep it modest and follow fire safety rules.
- That hiring a master to pick the date is mandatory: it is a personal choice, not a common standard.
What to do for Đinh Mùi 2027
Check a lunar calendar to find which solar dates the 4th to 10th of Tet fall on, compare with the owner's age if you wish, then pick the date that best fits your staffing and stock. Prepare a modest tray, arrange it neatly, pray sincerely, and pay special attention to safety with incense, candles and joss paper. Treat it as a spiritual kick-off, while the year's results still rest on how you work.
