Korean Tet has its own unique features compared to many other holidays in the year when Vietnamese families often prepare vegetarian offerings to commemorate their ancestors. In particular, banh troi and vegetarian cake are two indispensable traditional dishes on this occasion.
A Korean food offering tray usually includes 3 or 5 bowls of banh troi, 3 or 5 bowls of vegetarian cake, accompanied by incense, flowers, betel and areca, fruits and a cup of clean water.
After arranging a solemn offering tray on the altar, the family dresses neatly and seriously, together offers incense and prays, expressing sincerity, hoping that ancestors will bless a peaceful life, encounter good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Han Thuc Tet prayer text, according to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" of the Culture - Information Publishing House:
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of Buddha, the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow to the Emperor of the Earth, all venerable gods.
I respectfully bow to the tutelary god of the city, the local god of the land, the family god of the Kitchen Gods, and all the venerable gods.
I respectfully bow to Cao Tang To Khao, Cao Tang To Tri, Thuc Ba, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in-law of the paternal and maternal families.
Our believers are...Siding in...
Today is March 3rd (lunar calendar) meeting the Han Thuc period, we believers feel deep gratitude to heaven and earth, all venerable saints, remember the ancestor's virtue, sincerely prepare offerings, areca fruit, betel leaves, incense, tea and fruit, burn incense sticks, offer before the altar.
We respectfully invite you to be the tutelary god of the city, all the great kings, the local spirit of the land, the family of the Kitchen Gods, the five directions, the dragon vein, the talented gods descending before the court to witness the sincerity and enjoy the offerings.
We respectfully invite the ancestors, relatives, and ancestral spirits of both paternal and maternal families... (of the homeowner's family) to bow and plead for their descendants to come and witness the sincere heart of enjoying the offerings.
Believer, I respectfully invite the wandering spirits, the predecessors, and successors to reside in this house, this land, to come together in the past and future, to bless our whole family to always be healthy, all peace, all good things, and family harmony.
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
