Cúng Mụ đầy cữ, đầy tháng (offering to the Midwife Goddesses on the third-day and first-month ceremonies)

Used across Vietnam, Folk practice

1. Laying out the offeringsArranging the offerings: the portion for Bà Mụ Chúa (the chief Midwife Goddess) is placed in the center above, and the 12 portions for the 12 Bà Mụ (Midwife Goddesses) are arranged in two rows; one guide describes two tables, a small table above for offering to Đức Ông (the Lord), and a large table below for offering to the 12 Bà Mụ
2. Reciting the prayerThe father or mother lights three incense sticks, holds the baby in front of the altar, and reads the prayer text
3. Reciting the prayerAfter the prayer, the baby's hands are clasped to bow three times
4. The khai hoa (bắt miếng) ritual: holding the baby, passing a flower branch back and forth in front of the baby's mouth and reciting wishes
5. Some households ask for a divination to name the baby: presenting the chosen name, tossing two coins, one heads and one tails means agreement
6. Burning votive paperAfter three incense sticks have burned, a thank-offering is made, votive paper, clothes, and robes are burned, wine is sprinkled during the burning; the whole family partakes of the offerings

Northern Vietnam, Folk practice

1. Reciting the prayerOffering to the Midwife Goddesses, praying as in other regions
2. Performing the khai hoa ritual, sending wishes for the baby

Central Vietnam, Folk practice

1. Laying out the offeringsUse two tables: a small table in front for offering to Đức Ông, a large table behind for offering to the 12 bà Mụ and bà Chúa
2. Laying out the offeringsThe vase of flowers is placed to the east, the fruit tray to the west ('flowers east, fruit west')
3. Reciting the prayerLight incense and lamps, read the prayer text, and when the offering is finished scatter the salt and rice
4. Give the baby a lì xì (lucky money envelope)

Mekong Delta, Folk practice

1. Lighting incenseArrange the tray in the main room; the head of the household offers incense at the ancestors' altar first, then goes to the main tray to pray to the bà Mụ
2. Reciting the prayerRead the prayer text, stating the baby's name and age
3. Carry the baby out to introduce the name to relatives, perform the bắt miếng (first-taste) ritual, and guests give blessings
4. Take a little of each dish and offer it on the altar of the deities and the ancestors
5. Sharing the blessed offeringsHosting a feast for relatives and neighbours; the household eats last

Used across Vietnam, Buddhist

1. According to Buddhist guidance, choose one of two ways: only read the prayer text, or perform the full ritual with sutra chanting
2. The ritual with sutra chanting: nguyện hương (incense offering), prayer text, lễ tán Phật (praise of the Buddha), tán Pháp (praise of the Dharma), chanting the Kinh Ngày Lành Tháng Tốt (Sutra of Auspicious Days and Months), cúng thực (offering of food), phục nguyện (renewing the vow), hồi hướng (dedication of merit), tam tự quy (taking the three refuges)
3. If one has prepared offerings for thí thực (food offering to wandering spirits) or phóng sinh (releasing living beings), report that part as well, then report the conclusion of the ceremony
4. According to Buddhist guidance: on the occasion of childbirth, đầy tháng (first-month ceremony), thôi nôi (first-birthday ceremony), one should chant the Kinh Địa Tạng (Earth Store Sutra), make offerings, release living beings, and do good deeds to dedicate the merit to the child

Mekong Delta, Folk practice

• OfferingsAvoiding offering bananas, because the name evokes the word 'chúi nhủi'

Used across Vietnam, Buddhist

• Do not kill animals to prepare the feast
• Do not set out elaborate decorations