Cúng tất niên (year-end offering)

Used across Vietnam, Folk practice

When

Noon or afternoon of the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month (the 29th in a short month); households holding a large feast may make the offering from the 28th or 29th

Where the offerings are set

The offering tray is placed on a small table below the ancestors' altar; flowers, the five-fruit tray and votive paper on the altar; some households set out an additional small tray in the yard or on the veranda

Who makes the offering

The head of the household, usually the eldest person

Offerings

Steps

1. Clean the altar and the house beforehand
2. Arrange the offering tray and the offerings
3. Light incense, read the prayer text
4. When the incense has burned about two thirds, give thanks and burn votive paper
5. The whole family eats the year-end meal
6. From the afternoon of the 30th, keep incense burning on the altar throughout the Tết days

Where the sources differ

• Whether the North holds cúng tất niên: Báo Pháp luật Việt Nam quotes Mr. Lộc as saying that the North usually does not hold cúng tất niên, and only makes an offering at giao thừa (New Year's Eve), welcoming the ancestors at the same time, while only the South has tất niên; Báo Hà Tĩnh and mytour.vn describe the cúng tất niên tray of all three regions

Northern Vietnam, Folk practice

Offerings

Central Vietnam, Folk practice

Offerings

Central Vietnam, Hội An, Folk practice

When

The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, called the offering to welcome back the ancestors

Where the offerings are set

The ancestors' altar; descendants living separately come to the parents' house or the family shrine to attend the offering

Offerings

Steps

1. Cúng rước ông bà (ceremony to welcome the ancestors) on the 30th
2. At giao thừa (New Year's Eve), offerings are made in the yard or on the veranda, with only flowers, fruit, candied fruit, no wine or meat
3. After the offering, rice and salt are scattered in the four directions

Southern Vietnam, Folk practice

When

Morning of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, around 9 or 10 o'clock, eat at noon (according to Báo Pháp luật Việt Nam); Báo Thanh tra calls this day the ceremony to welcome the ancestors

Where the offerings are set

Altar of the ancestors; many households also set up an extra tray in the yard

Offerings

Steps

1. Offer a tray of rice to invite the ancestors to join the descendants
2. The tray in the yard is to offer to those with no one to worship them, soldiers, and compatriots who died
3. In the afternoon, sweep the house one last time

Used across Vietnam, Folk practice, Address to the ancestors

When

Afternoon of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month (29th if the month is short), before the giao thừa offering

Where the offerings are set

Ancestor altar: fresh flowers, a tray of five fruits, some votive paper (possibly also bánh chưng, xôi, chè) on the main altar; the offering tray is placed on a lower table

Who makes the offering

The oldest man in the house lights incense and reads the prayer text, then other members bow in offering

Offerings

Steps

1. On the 30th, prepare two trays: one tray for the year-end offering and then dinner, one tray for the giao thừa (New Year's Eve) offering
2. Arrange the offerings, light incense, read the prayer text inviting deities and ancestors to come and enjoy Tết
3. The whole family bows, then gathers for the year-end meal

Things to avoid

• Do not place branches of gold and jade made of votive paper on the altar

Where the sources differ

• How to place the offering chicken: the article says that putting the chicken's head turned toward the incense bowl is correct, and notes that many people turn the chicken's head outward for appearance