In 2026, the Thanh Minh period starts from April 5th and lasts until April 20th of the Gregorian calendar. Thus, Thanh Minh Tet 2026 (the first day of the Thanh Minh period) falls on Sunday, February 18th of the Lunar calendar.
Thanh Minh Tet is an occasion to commemorate ancestors through activities such as tomb sweeping, ceremony at graves and at home, and family reunion.
When sweeping graves, people bring tools to clean up, rebuild graves, and remove weeds to avoid being destroyed by animals.
After cleaning thoroughly, the family proceeds to burn incense and offer offerings.
The Thanh Minh worshiping ceremony at the grave can be vegetarian or savory depending on the customs of each family, but usually includes basic offerings such as incense, lamps, water, wine, betel and areca, fruits and votive paper.
Thanh minh prayer to the spirits outside the grave according to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Prayers", Lao Dong Publishing House
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times) I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of the Buddhas, the Buddhas of ten directions. I respectfully bow to the incense and spirits... (hiển khảo, hiển tỷ or tổ khảo, tổ tỷ... ). Benevolent Person Thanh minh, our believers are:... Responsible for:... We and the entire family of descendants, thanks to our great merits, high virtue, building a career of... , sadly thinking of the yin part in a deserted place, our believers sincerely prepare offerings, areca nut, betel leaves, incense, flowers, tea, and fruits, light a stick of incense and respectfully offer it in front of the grave, respectfully inviting the true soul... to come and contribute. We ask permission to repair the grave, enrich the earth, enrich the soil, to be thick and durable, repair the after-water road to be more solid. Thanks to the blessings of the Buddha and saints, bearing the blessings of heaven and earth, receiving the blessings of gods and spirits, I humbly ask the sacred to witness, enjoy offerings, bless and protect children and grandchildren, go back and forth to examine the door of the house. Cover the ears and save disasters, bestow wealth and blessings, bring good things, dispel bad things. Increase the family's prosperity, cinnamon trees are lush, grandchildren and grandchildren are happy to enjoy heaven's blessings, old and young are thanks to the Buddha and saints. We offer sincere offerings, humbly ask to witness. Nam mô A Di Đà Phật! (3 times)
After the incense burns for about 2/3, the family performs a thanksgiving ceremony, burns votive paper and asks for fortune to bring back to continue worshiping at home.
Avoid going too early when the weather is still humid and cold or in the late afternoon, at night because of heavy yin energy.
It is not mandatory to be on "good hours" - the most important factor is still sincerity and the full presence of the family.
