In "Vietnamese Customs", scholar Phan Ke Binh noted that the full moon worshiping custom is a popular religious lifestyle, expressing the morality of "drinking water, remembering the source" of Vietnamese people. The full moon of the twelfth lunar month is considered a "year-end thanksgiving" ceremony, unlike the full moon of the first lunar month which tends to pray for blessings at the beginning of the year.
This year, the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (December 15th of the lunar year of At Ty) falls on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 solar calendar.
According to the long-standing religious lifestyle, on this occasion, many Vietnamese families prepare incense, flowers, and offerings to commemorate their ancestors, grandparents, and respectfully report to the gods. The offering ceremony is prepared moderately, not biased towards formality, emphasizing solemnity, orderliness, and sincerity of the performer.
December full moon prayer
In the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" by the Culture and Information Publishing House, the full moon prayer of the twelfth lunar month is presented as follows:
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, all the Supreme Gods.
I respectfully bow to Lord Dong Than Quan.
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, the landlord, and the talented god.
I respectfully bow to the Gods who govern this area.
Believers (us) are:.. Resident at:..
Today is the day...... month...... year.... (Full moon of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake), my trusted son sincerely prepares incense, flowers, offerings, kim ngân tea and fruit, burns a fragrant incense stick and offers it before the altar.
We sincerely respectfully invite: Mr. Kim Nien, currently cai 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 gods ruling in this area.
I humbly ask you to hear the invitation to pity and sympathize with the believer to descend before the court, witness your sincerity, enjoy offerings, and bless us, believers, so that our whole family can have peace and smooth affairs. Everyone is safe, fortune increases, morality is expanded, prayers are answered, wishes are 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!
Mid-December offering tray
Depending on each circumstance and region, each family will arrange a different offering tray for the full moon of December.
The basic offering tray usually includes:
Fragrance, fresh flowers
Betel and areca nut
Five-fruit plate
Clean water or alcohol
Cakes, candies, cakes
If performing a savory ceremony, you can prepare more:
Boiled chicken or boiled meat
Sticky rice, banh chung
Some traditional dishes
Many families today choose vegetarian offerings with sticky rice, sweet soup, and fruits, which are both compact and suitable for modern lifestyle.
