Christmas in Vietnam centers on the December 24 vigil and the December 25 main Mass, with the nativity grotto and tree, now shared by non-Catholics too.
Year-end dates for the gathering, altar cleaning, debt repayment and New Year opening: lunar calendar principles and flexible use without superstition.
Many families burn a little votive paper after the year-end offering; the hóa vàng send-off comes on Tet days 3 to 7. The tray can go indoors or outdoors.