What is the time for worship on the Full Moon of the first lunar month in 2025 in Vietnam? Should the worship on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in Vietnam be conducted indoors or outdoors?

What is the time for worship on the Full Moon of the first lunar month in 2025 in Vietnam?

The Full Moon of January, also known as Tet Thuong Nguyen, is one of the most important holidays of the year in Vietnam, occurring on the night of the 15th of the first lunar month. This marks the first full moon of the new year, holding a deep significance in the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people. During this occasion, families often offer tributes to their ancestors, praying for a peaceful, happy, and prosperous new year.

Not only is it an opportunity to show respect to ancestors, but the Full Moon of January is also a time when various unique cultural and artistic festivities take place. These events attract the attention of local residents and tourists, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere across the regions.

The Full Moon of January in 2025 will fall on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, which is considered the best day for the worship ceremony. You can refer to the optimal times for worship on the Full Moon of January 2025 as follows:

- Offering during Quy Mao Hour (from 5 AM to 7 AM);

- Offering during Binh Ngo Hour (from 11 AM to 1 PM);

- Offering during Mau Than Hour (from 3 PM to 5 PM);

- Offering during Ky Dau Hour (from 5 PM to 7 PM).

Should the worship on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in Vietnam be conducted indoors or outdoors?

Worship on the Full Moon of January outdoors is an important ritual to express gratitude and respect towards the deities. Paying homage outdoors signifies a connection between humans and the spiritual world, helping family prayers more easily reach the higher beings.

However, preparing an offering table indoors for the Full Moon of January is also essential to commemorate and honor ancestors. This not only demonstrates filial piety towards the deceased but also provides an opportunity for family members to gather, recall memories, and strengthen bonds.

Therefore, to show complete reverence, the worship ceremony on the Full Moon of January should be performed both indoors and outdoors, both to honor the deities and to commemorate ancestors and strengthen family bonds.

The above information is for reference purposes only

Is worship on the Full Moon of January considered superstitious in Vietnam?

According to Clause 4, Article 3 of Circular 04/2009/TT-BVHTTDL on prohibitions in cultural activities and public cultural services:

Prohibitions in Cultural Activities and Public Cultural Services

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4. Cultural activities and cultural services with superstitious content as stipulated at point b, clause 1, Article 3 of the Regulations are activities with content that fascinates others, contrary to nature, adversely affecting perception, including: Performing rituals to exorcise spirits, healing by spells, spirit possession, fortune-telling, casting lots, spreading oracle interpretations, talismans, seeking to harm others for personal gain through curses, publicly burning spirit offerings, and other superstitious forms.

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Additionally, at point b, clause 1, Article 3 of the regulations on Cultural Activities and Public Cultural Services issued with Decree 103/2009/ND-CP:

Prohibitions in Cultural Activities and Public Cultural Services

The following activities are prohibited:

1. Cultural activities and cultural services with the following content:

...

b) Inciting violence, promoting wars of aggression, instigating hatred between ethnic groups and peoples of different countries; spreading reactionary ideologies, immoral lifestyles, crimes, social vices, superstitious practices, contrary to customs, causing harm to health and destroying the ecological environment;

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Thus, based on the aforementioned regulations, whether worship on the Full Moon of January in Vietnam is considered superstitious depends on the individual's purpose.

In cases where individuals exploit the worship on the Full Moon of January for profit or propagate reactionary ideologies that are contrary to customs, seek personal gain at the expense of others through curses, it will be considered a superstitious act and may be subject to legal action.

Conversely, if the worship on the Full Moon of January is merely to pray for peace, show sincerity, and is associated with traditional customs, it will not be regarded as superstitious.

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