According to feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha, the votive offering ceremony (also known as the giving ceremony) is usually held on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year.
The preparation of the votive offering ceremony is similar to the ancestral worship ceremony, including: five-fruit tray, incense, flowers, joss paper, candles, betel and areca, wine, tea, banh chung (or banh tet).
The savory or vegetarian feast is also full of typical dishes of the Tet offering tray such as boiled dishes, stir-fried dishes, soup, vermicelli, wine. If it is a savory offering, the tray of rice cannot be without a rooster.
According to expert Nguyen Song Ha's suggestion, the good hours to burn votive paper on the 3rd day of Binh Ngo Tet 2026 (January 19th of the solar calendar) include: Mao hour (5am-7am), Than hour (3pm-5pm) and Dau hour (5pm-7pm). This day is suitable for homeowners of the zodiac signs Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat, Tiger, Monkey, Snake and Pig.
In addition to the 3rd day of Tet, families can also offer sacrifices on other days (depending on the family's time conditions). Beautiful hours to conduct the votive offering ceremony to see off ancestors, grandparents, and relatives:
The 4th day of Tet (February 20th of the solar calendar) is suitable for homeowners of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster zodiac signs. Beautiful votive offering times include Rabbit hour (5am-7am), Snake hour (9am-11am), Monkey hour (3pm-5pm).
The 5th day of Tet (January 21st of the solar calendar) is suitable for homeowners born in the years of Rat, Horse, Cat, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat. Beautiful gold offering times are Dragon hour (7am-9am), Snake hour (9am-11am), Goat hour (1pm-3pm).
The 6th day of Tet (January 22nd of the solar calendar) is suitable for householders born in the years of Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat. Beautiful votive offering times are Mao hour (5am-7am), Ngo hour (11am-1pm), Mui hour (1pm-3pm), Dau hour (5pm-7pm).
Gold-burning prayer according to the book "Vietnamese Traditional Prayers" - Culture and Information Publishing House: Nammo Amitabha Buddha!
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật!
Nam mo Amitābha Buddha!
I respectfully bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow to Hoang Thien, Hau Tho, all venerable gods.
I respectfully bow to Lord Duong nien hanh kien, Lord Ban canh Thanh Hoang, Lords Tho dia, Tao quan, Long mach, Ton than.
I respectfully bow to the Ancestral Examiners, Ancestral Examiners, Initial and Foreign Ancestral Spirits.
Believers (us) are:... Resident at:...
Today is the 3rd (or 4th, 5th, 6th...) day of the first lunar month of Binh Ngo year.
Believer, I sincerely prepare incense, flowers, water, honey, gold, silver, and offerings of tea and wine to offer before the altar, respectfully reporting:
Spring feast is over, Lunar New Year has passed, now I would like to burn incense, offer thanks to the gods, and welcome the spirits back to the underworld.
I respectfully ask for blessings and protection for my children and grandchildren to be safe, and for the family to prosper.
We offer sincere offerings, wholeheartedly respectfully, 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!
Gold-burning prayer according to the book "Traditional Vietnamese Worship - Rituals and Ritual Practices" (World Publishing House):
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
I bow to the nine heavens, the ten directions of the Buddhas, the Buddhas of the ten directions
I bow to the gods, the saints, the Holy Mothers
I pray to the divine council governing this place.
I bow to the ancestral councils on both sides of the family, and relatives belonging to the underworld, the predecessors and successors of the land, and the hidden faces and faces here to attend the ceremony together.
The trustee is:.. Resident at:...
Today, I will perform the incense offering ceremony on the 3rd day of Tet (or the 4th, 5th, 6th...). I respectfully ask the councils at all levels to receive the offerings and bless and protect my children and grandchildren to be healthy, peaceful and prosperous.
Dear all of you
Spring party is over
Thanksgiving respectfully presented
Welcoming the spirits
Back to the underworld
New Year's Eve
The whole family expects
Lưu phúc lưu ân
Respectfully apologize to the venerable deity
Phù trì phù hộ
Yang Ji Yin Tomb
Every good place
Security descendants
Operate smoothly!
Today we ask to burn votive paper with honey, to offer thanks to the gods, to welcome and send the spirits back to the afterlife. Respectfully ask for blessings, gratitude, and blessings to protect and protect every good place, for children and grandchildren to have everything as they wish, everything peaceful, both fortune and prosperity, and a warm and peaceful family.
Sincere respect and reverence, humble offerings, generous consideration, bow to witness.
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
Nam Mo Amitābha Buddha!
(Praying to the ancestors 4 times and then reading the ritual text)
Spring comes bustling with joy
Warm and harmonious family affection everywhere
Spring comes full of laughter
Children excitedly wait for spring fortune
That flower is also whispering
Spring comes, more pink cheeks, more beautiful
Life just floats like that
Floating according to evil karma to repay debts
Ơn trên con kính lạy Người
Respectfully ask the ancestors to grant grace and blessings.
Coming down to bless your grandchildren.
Calm down and find creativity to add blessings
Spring comes bustling with joy
Spring returns, spring is forever here, O You
May the ancestors smile
Prosperity for children and grandchildren with high minds and talents
A wholeheartedly devoted to the country
A kind and virtuous heart in life
Kind heart, thanksgiving ceremony
A kind heart towards goodness builds many blessings.
