The full moon of the first lunar month of Binh Ngo year falls on Tuesday (March 3, 2026 solar calendar) marking the first full moon night of the lunar year.
In the traditional thinking of Vietnamese people, this is not only an ordinary full moon day but also considered a milestone opening the fortune of the whole year.
Folk people have long valued this time, considering it an opportunity to send wishes for peace and prosperity. From urban to rural areas, many families prepare decent offerings, burn incense to commemorate ancestors, and pray for family peace and smooth work.
The full moon of the first lunar month is also associated with the habit of going to pagodas, temples, and shrines. People often arrange time to go to spiritual places to offer incense, then return home to complete the ancestral worship ritual.
Besides, the first full moon of the year is also an opportunity for members to reunite, reminding each other to preserve family traditions and traditional values.
Feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha believes that the incense offering ritual on the full moon of the first lunar month should be prioritized for morning. According to beliefs, this is the time when the full moon has strong yin energy, choosing a good time in the early morning is considered a way to welcome vitality, pray for blessings and increase luck for the family.
In unfavorable cases, homeowners can still burn incense in the late afternoon. However, expert Nguyen Song Ha noted that it should be completed before 7 pm, avoiding late evening hours, which are traditionally considered times when wandering spirits easily find shelter.
Best time frame:
- January 14th of the lunar calendar (ie March 2nd, 2026 lunar calendar): Time frames include Thin hour (7-9am), Mui hour (13-15am) and Dau hour (17-19am).
- 15th day of the first lunar month (the full moon, i.e. March 3, 2026 lunar calendar): Beautiful hours include Mao hour (5-7am), Ty hour (9-11am) and Than hour (15-17pm).
According to expert Nguyen Song Ha, homeowners when burning incense should use odd numbers such as 3, 5 or 9. In which, 3 incense sticks symbolize the Three Jewels, 5 incense sticks are often associated with wishes for fortune, and 9 incense sticks are used when offering to Buddha. However, for ancestral altars at home, folk recommends only burning 3 or 5 incense sticks, instead of 9 incense sticks.
Full moon prayer according to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" - 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 Buddhas, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.
I respectfully bow to the Emperor, the Later Earth, and all the Supreme Gods.
I respectfully bow to Lord Ban Gia Tho Dia Long Mach.
I respectfully bow to the Five Directions, Five Earths, and the Gods of Merit.
I respectfully bow to your predecessor, landlord, and God of Wealth.
Our believers are:... residing at:...
Today is the full moon day of the first lunar month of the Binh Ngo year, my faithful sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, and honey and silver tea and fruit, burning a fragrant incense stick and offering it in front of the altar. We sincerely respectfully invite Mr. Kim Nien, who is currently in charge of Thai Tue Chi Duc Ton Than, Mr. Ban Canh Thanh Hoang Chu Vi Dai Vuong, Mr. Dong Tru Tu Menh Tao Phu Than Quan, Mr. Ban Gia Tho Dia, Long Mach Ton Than, Mr. Ngu Phuong, Ngu Tho, Phuc Duc Chinh Than, the venerable gods who govern this area.
I humbly ask you to hear the invitation to pity the believers and bring them down before the court, witness their sincerity, enjoy offerings, and bless us believers, so that our whole family will be peaceful and prosperous, and our work will be smooth. Everyone will be at peace, fortune and wealth will increase, and the way of life will open up, and the deeds will be fulfilled, and the wishes will be fulfilled.
We offer a sincere and humble offering, before the altar, respectfully offering, and bow to ask for blessings and protection.
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
