Southern bánh tét is a signature Tet offering that symbolizes prosperity and family reunion. See its origins, meaning and traditional wrapping methods.
Ancestor worship is a long-standing Vietnamese custom, a moral standard, and a key part of spiritual life, with altars, death anniversaries, and Tet rituals.
Southern Vietnam worship spans Thành hoàng, Bà Chúa Xứ, Mẫu, whale and ancestor veneration. Its origins, cultural fusion and modern shifts are examined.
Vietnamese ancestral worship trays reflect regional character: the North favors formality, the Central region is lavish, and the South is simple yet refined.
A guide to preparing New Year's Eve offerings, arranging the outdoor and indoor trays by Vietnamese custom, with safety notes and regional differences.
Comparing Lunar New Year of the Kinh, Chol Chnam Thmay of the Khmer, and ethnic groups with their own calendars: timing, offerings, rituals, and names.
Tet rites in southern Vietnam: welcoming the ancestors on the 30th, giao thừa offerings outdoors and indoors, Tết nhà on the third, farewell on the fourth.
Rằm Tháng Giêng, the lunar year's first full moon, brings temple visits and star-releasing rites, with the saying "a year of offerings cannot match this one.
Northern Vietnamese Tet worship runs from seeing off the Kitchen Gods on the 23rd of the 12th lunar month to welcoming ancestors and the vang ma burning rite.
Tet Nguyen Tieu, the first full moon of the lunar year, is greatly valued in Vietnamese culture. See why it matters and what to prepare for the offering tray.
Tet cakes differ across Vietnam's three regions: the North has banh chung and banh phu the, the Center has banh to and banh in, the South has banh tet.
The rite on the afternoon of the 30th of Tet invites ancestors home for the New Year. North, Central and South differ mainly in the feast and the fruit tray.
Burning votive paper to see off ancestors after Tet usually falls between the 3rd and 10th of the first lunar month, most often the 3rd. What to prepare.
Tet Nhay (Put Tong) is the key Ban Vuong worship ritual of the Red Dao in Lao Cai, tied to migration legends and performed in 11 steps with dances and music.
Southern Khmer weddings feature the betel palm flower cutting ceremony that formalizes the union and the hand-tying ritual, a sacred moment binding two souls.
Mid-Autumn Festival customs differ across Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam, from northern rituals to lively Central festivals and Southern gift-giving.
Khu Su Cha, the Ha Nhi New Rice Festival in Muong Nhe, Dien Bien, thanks ancestors with floating cakes, pig liver divination and glutinous rice pounding.