Opening ceremony, also known as opening ceremony at the beginning of the year, is a familiar ritual in Vietnamese cultural life, especially for business households and businesses. Not only traditional, this is also a way for homeowners to express their respect for the business place, customers and spiritual values that have been associated for a long time in folk life.
According to folk beliefs, each land is governed by gods, so when starting business activities in the new year, many people perform rituals to "present" and pray for help, helping work to be smooth and business to be good. Whether viewed from a religious or cultural perspective, this ritual is still considered as a starting point to create a solid and smooth mindset for the whole year of Binh Ngo 2026.
In the year of Binh Ngo 2026, some regular days are chosen to open, including the 4th day (February 2026), the 6th day (February 22, 2026), the 8th day (February 24, 2026), the 9th day (February 25, 2026) and the 10th day (February 26, 2026). Besides preparing the offering tray, the prayer text at the beginning of the year also shows sincerity, solemnity and expectations for a stable and developing business year.
According to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (World Publishing House), the homeowner, after choosing a good day and month, proceeds to offer offerings.
- Arrange offerings on the altar: If there is no altar, prepare a clean table, cover it with a red cloth, arrange the offering tray on top, place it in the most solemn position (in the house/shop/company or in the yard or in front of the main door);
- People performing the opening worship ceremony need to dress neatly and solemnly. If the opening worship prayer is printed, after worshiping, it should be burned with votive paper;
- When the time is set, the host of the ceremony lights candles and 3 incense sticks, then bows 3 times, plants incense, and recites the Buddha's name "Nam Mo Amitabha Buddha" 3 times. After reciting, bow 3 times.
Then, recite the opening and opening prayer as follows:
I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions;
I respectfully bow to the current year's official in charge of Thai Tue.
I respectfully bow to the Lords of the Citadel, the Lords of the Five Directions,
ngũ thổ, long mạch, tài thần định phúc Táo quân, các vị tôn thần:
I respectfully bow to the gods who rule in this area,
The (our) believers are:...
age...
Currently residing at: ...
Today is the month and year, my trusted son sincerely prepares offerings, lights a stick of incense and offers it before the altar, sincerely reporting that: We have chosen a good day and month to prepare offerings to respectfully report to the gods and all ancestors, and bow our heads to consider for our trusted son today to open and start business and trade with much luck and goodness.
We respectfully invite officials of the year, officials of the scene, local spirits, destined blessings of the Kitchen Gods, along with the lords of the dragon veins and all the gods who govern this sacred area to appear before the incense table, enjoy offerings, witness sincerity. Please bless us with smooth business, smooth business, abundant fortune, and all things as desired.
In this ceremony, believers also sincerely invite the predecessors and successors of land and spirits who have no place to rely on to reside in this area, please come here to enjoy offerings, and bless and protect their children's believers to do business and trade and have good luck.
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
After praying, the homeowner reads the ritual text:
Respectfully, heaven and earth prove
Buddha, fairies, gods, saints, spirits protect
ancestors delivered the sacred jade
Give me the way, guide me towards you.
The word "tu tu Duc" becomes thicker
Correct your mind to be brighter, your heart full of good intentions
High fortune, wealth, luxury...
It's all due to good fortune.
With all my heart, I vow, I pray
Ơn trên ban xuống trí cao nghĩa lòng
Only by cultivating oneself can one understand heaven's destiny.
Only by abstaining can people's hearts understand gambling.
Pray to the predecessors
Predecessor, successor in this land
Your faces are hidden, your eyes are hidden
Let's return to perform the ceremony to bless destiny.
Give the house peace
Grant wealth, full of wealth
Children, grandchildren, grandchildren reunite
High talent and filial piety, full of grace above.
After reading, bow 3 times.
After worshiping, wait for the incense to burn for the first week. You can add a second week of incense when starting to burn gold coins and prayer papers (remember to pour ginger wine on the ashes of votive paper).
Spread rice and salt in front of the alley. When the incense runs out, please lower the offerings.
End the ceremony.
