What day should Vietnamese people burn votive paper in 2025?

(CLO) According to folk beliefs, the gold burning ceremony, also known as the New Year's thanksgiving ceremony, is to thank the gods and ancestors and see them off after the Tet holiday. So, what is the most appropriate day to burn gold?

According to the book "Văn phục văn nôm" by Venerable Thích Viên Thành published by Thanh Hoa Publishing House and "Văn phục văn cổ của người Việt" published by Hong Duc Publishing House, burning votive paper is also called a thanksgiving ceremony. The book also suggests the date and time for the votive paper burning ceremony on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2025.

On which day should Vietnamese people burn votive paper in 2025? Photo: health and life

Good day to burn votive paper?

Joss paper is among the offerings to gods and ancestors during Tet, and is "sent" by burning. Because it is impossible to burn real money, gold, or other objects, people use paper objects with patterns and simulated shapes instead. Before Tet, the homeowner prepares a ceremony to invite ancestors and gods to celebrate Tet with the family; when sending them off, it is also necessary to prepare an offering tray and burn joss paper for them to take with them.

Tet At Ty 2025, when to burn votive paper offerings? Families can choose the following times:

The 3rd day of Tet: This is the traditional day most families choose to conduct the gold burning ceremony.

4th, 5th, 7th of Tet : These days are also very suitable for organizing the gold burning ceremony, depending on the conditions of each family. Some suggestions for good times for the gold burning ceremony in 2025 - Tet At Ty are as follows:

3rd day of Tet: Tan Mao hour (5am – 7am), Giap Ngo hour (11am – 1pm), Binh Than hour (3pm – 5pm), Dinh Dau hour (5pm – 7pm).

4th day of Tet: Mao hour (5am – 7am), Ngo hour (11am – 1pm), Than hour (3pm – 5pm), Dau hour (5pm – 7pm).

5th day of Tet: Mao hour (5am – 7am), Ty hour (9am – 11am), Than hour (3pm – 5pm), Tuat hour (7pm – 9pm).

7th day of Tet: Hour of Dan (3am – 5am), Hour of Thin (7am – 9am), Hour of Ty (9am – 11am), Hour of Than (3pm – 5pm), Hour of Dau (5pm – 7pm), Hour of Hoi (9pm – 11pm).

Offering tray and how to perform the gold burning ceremony

Depending on the conditions and culture of each family and region, the homeowner can prepare a votive offering tray with different items. In particular, the votive offering tray usually includes:

Fruit tray

Money - votive paper, a little of each: fresh flowers, incense, betel, candy, wine. Some places offer 2 sugarcanes (according to folk belief, sugarcanes are for the ancestors to lean on to avoid fatigue or can be used to carry offerings to heaven).

A savory or vegetarian tray, in which the savory tray usually has a rooster. After preparing the offering tray and the necessary offerings, the homeowner will light incense and read the prayer. During Tet, the family gods and ancestors are invited to reside on the altar, so the incense lamp must always be kept lit and not turned off. Offerings such as candy and fruit must also be kept on the altar and only taken down after the burning of votive papers is completed. Taking down the offerings before the ceremony is considered disrespectful according to traditional concepts.

After the incense has burned out, the homeowner prays to lower the ceremony and takes the votive paper to burn. After burning the votive paper, the homeowner often sprinkles a few drops of wine on the offering. According to folk beliefs, this action helps preserve the sacredness and ensures that grandparents and ancestors receive all the offerings and money from their descendants.

Do not overuse the burning of votive paper. Sincerity does not lie in the quantity of offerings, but in the respect and thoughtfulness in preparing and conducting the ceremony. Just performing all the rituals during the 3 days of Tet is in accordance with the meaning of traditional customs, showing completeness and sincerity.

Burning too much votive paper is both wasteful and increases environmental pollution (increased emissions, increased forest exploitation), and poses a potential fire risk.

It is necessary to choose a suitable location for burning votive papers, ensuring that it is clean, airy and separate from the living area; comply with fire prevention and fighting principles. Before burning votive papers, it is necessary to remove flammable materials in the area and prepare fire extinguishing measures such as water or fire extinguishers for timely handling in case of need.

PV

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-viet-nen-cung-hoa-vao-ngay-nao-nam-2025-post332438.html