Submit a comment
On the last day of the lunar year, many people wake up early to cook and prepare the year-end offering tray to present to their ancestors. This is an occasion for the whole family to reunite after a year of hard work and study.
![]() |
According to the book Vietnamese Worship Customs published by the Culture - Information Publishing House, the last day of the lunar year is the occasion for descendants near and far to reunite and offer their ancestors a year-end offering tray. This is also the ritual to invite the Kitchen Gods back to earth to continue their duties after attending the Jade Emperor on the 23rd of December. |
![]() |
On social networks, the New Year's Eve atmosphere becomes even more bustling as many families show off their sumptuous offerings, complete with dishes ranging from simple to elaborate. |
![]() ![]() |
After the offering, the children and grandchildren will take down the tray and enjoy it together as a way to receive blessings from their ancestors. This meal is also called the year-end party. The party not only marks the end of the old year and welcomes the new year, but is also an occasion for the family to gather together on the last day of the year. |
![]() |
Thuy Linh (from Nghe An) shared: “My family has a habit of waking up very early and cooking a New Year’s Eve meal together to worship our ancestors. The dishes are mostly simple, but the important thing is that we have the opportunity to cook and eat together on the last day of the year. We only hope that our family will be peaceful and happy in the new year.” |
![]() ![]() |
According to the customs of each region, the homeowner will prepare the New Year's Eve offering tray and then decide whether to invite friends or relatives to enjoy it or not. Folk belief holds that the more bustling the New Year's Eve offering tray is, the more luck and success the family will have in the following year. |
![]() |
Living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, An Khang (from Bac Lieu) expressed: “Every year I only go home a few times, this year I can go home earlier. On occasions like this, the year-end offering tray is a meal where all my family members are present. No matter what happens next year, this year the whole family is healthy and together, which is already happiness.” |
![]() ![]() |
Offering a tray of offerings to ancestors on the last day of the year is a long-standing custom of Vietnamese people. After a year of work, the whole family will sit together for a year-end meal. Therefore, the year-end offering tray does not need to be too elaborate, the important thing is that the family is reunited and cozy. |