The full moon of December (15th lunar day) of the year of Giap Thin falls on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
On this day, Vietnamese families often prepare trays of offerings with respect to present to their ancestors and relatives, to express gratitude for the good things of the old year, and to welcome peace and blessings in the new year.
But families can also arrange according to actual work, offering on the 14th day of the 12th lunar month, which is January 13, 2025 in the solar calendar.
According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the vegetarian offering tray on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month usually has 5 components: incense, fresh flowers, candles, fresh fruit and vegetarian dishes. However, depending on the culture of each region and locality, families can prepare the offering tray accordingly.
For the vegetarian tray on the full moon day, you should choose fruits such as apples, oranges, watermelons, bananas, Buddha's hand. Familiar, easy-to-make vegetarian dishes include vegetarian ham, coconut sticky rice, vegetarian stir-fried vermicelli, stir-fried vegetables, sweet soups, etc.
In addition to the vegetarian tray, families can prepare a savory tray, depending on economic conditions and cultural traditions. The basic savory tray includes boiled chicken, sticky rice, ham, fried spring rolls, white rice, soup, and wine.
Northerners like sticky rice with beans, banh chung, canh bong tha, canh bamboo shoots with mushrooms, etc.; Southerners often prepare sticky rice with gac fruit, vermicelli soup, braised pork and eggs, etc.; Centralers will combine chicken, sticky rice (sticky rice with beans or sticky rice with gac fruit), fried spring rolls, soup (vermicelli soup, bone soup or bamboo shoot soup), braised fish and seafood, etc.
In addition to the above dishes, the homeowner can prepare other dishes such as stir-fried vegetables, beef, roast pork, salad, etc. to make the feast more diverse.
When preparing the offering tray for the full moon of December, you should pay attention to choosing fresh fruits, betel and areca nuts, and beautiful appearance. It does not need to be too elaborate, but it must be neat and clean, showing the respect of the homeowner.
On the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, family members should do good deeds, help people in difficult circumstances... to pray for blessings, bringing good things for the new year.
