This year, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month falls on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
According to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (World Publishing House), ancient Vietnamese people believed that in every family there was a kitchen god, also known as Tao Quan - kitchen king. This custom originated from the legend of Tao Ong, Tao Ba and the worship ceremony of Ong Cong, Ong Tao imbued with the humanistic spirit of Vietnamese people, guiding people to actively do good deeds and live honestly.
Every year, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Kitchen Gods go to the heavenly court to report to the Jade Emperor all the good and bad things of each family in the year.
Therefore, on this occasion, families prepare offerings and recite prayers to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao going to heaven.
After arranging solemn offerings on the altar, the homeowner (or host) lights incense, lights candles, and then sits upright or kneels in front of the ancestral altar, reciting prayers as follows:
Nam Mo Amitābha (3 times)
I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of the Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions;
I bow to Lord Dong Tru Tu Menh Tao Phu Than Quan;
I pray to the gods and goddesses, the paternal and maternal ancestors, along with the predecessors, the instigators, and the unfamiliar ones.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today is December 23rd of the year...
My name is: ..., residing at:
Today, I am holding an incense offering ceremony on the day of bringing Ong Cong and Ong Tao to see the gods, I sincerely prepare incense, flowers, and offerings. Therefore, I respectfully ask the councils at all levels to attend the ceremony and witness our sincerity.
I respectfully wish the councils at all levels and departments to come to perform the ceremony on a peaceful and pure day. Please grant blessings and blessings to our whole family with abundant health, peace and prosperity, and all good things.
After praying, read the ritual text:
Today is the last December of the year
It is the day Mr. Tao and Mr. Cong go to heaven
My respectful heart sends my words
Wishing you a peaceful journey to the heavens.
Please tell the Jade Emperor
Bless and bless the human world.
Give me a bright mind.
Understanding cause and effect according to good and evil.
Dispelling the rampant epidemic
Every household is at peace, the vault is full of gold and money.
After reading the ritual text, bow 4 times.
After the ceremony, wait for the incense to burn for the first week. You can add a second week of incense when the homeowner or children and grandchildren start burning votive paper and prayer papers (remember to pour ginger wine into the ashes of votive paper). When the incense burns out, please lower the offering.
End the ceremony.
