The book Vietnamese Beliefs by author Luu Anh (published and circulated by Tre Publishing House) mentions the worshiping ceremony on the 3rd day of Tet. Accordingly, the worshiping ceremony on the 3rd day of Tet is one of the important worshiping days. Because, most Vietnamese people choose the 3rd day of Tet to worship and burn votive papers, praying for a year of good things.

The ceremony on the third day of Tet has the meaning of sending ancestors to the underworld after 3 days of celebrating Tet with their children and grandchildren. The ceremony shows respect and prays for ancestors to bless future generations.

Regarding how to prepare the offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet, culinary artist Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet said that the offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet includes: 1 savory tray and a tray of five fruits, fresh flowers, candies, betel, sugarcane...

“Depending on the conditions, the homeowner can prepare a salty or vegetarian offering, but the offering tray must show respect. If preparing a salty offering tray, it must have boiled chicken.

The offering tray has a chicken symbolizing goodness and a bright future. When preparing the offering tray, the chicken must be placed on a large plate, arranged neatly on the plate, the offal placed under the chicken's belly, and the beak holds a red rose.

If the offering is outdoors, the homeowner must place the chicken's head facing the street. If the offering is placed on the altar, the homeowner must arrange it so that the chicken's head faces the incense bowl," noted artisan Anh Tuyet.

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The offering tray on the third day of Tet cannot lack a boiled chicken. Photo: VietNamNet

If the homeowner chooses to burn votive paper on the third day of Tet, the thanksgiving ceremony must be performed solemnly in a clean corner of the garden or yard.

The money will be burned first, then the household items. If someone in the family has just passed away, the paper money must be burned separately.

Artist Anh Tuyet suggests the following offerings for the 3rd day of Tet in the 3 regions of North - Central - South:

Offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet in the North

The offering tray on the third day of Tet usually has basic dishes such as: Chung cake, boiled chicken, fried spring rolls, ham, soup, wine...

In addition to the savory dishes, the homeowner needs to prepare a tray of five fruits, incense, flowers, candies, jams, betel, tobacco...

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Offering tray on the third day of Tet in the North. Photo: Aquarium Restaurant

Offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet in Central Vietnam

For the Central region, the offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet will have dishes such as: Banh tet, pork soaked in fish sauce, beef, tre, nem... Especially, the tray of five fruits, flowers, betel and areca nuts and votive paper are indispensable...

Offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet in the South

The offering tray on the 3rd day of Tet in the South is basically the same as the 1st and 2nd days of Tet. The savory offering tray usually has braised pork and eggs, bitter melon soup stuffed with meat, pickled cucumbers, banh tet, etc.

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