What is the Gregorian calendar date for the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025? Is the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025 a major holiday in Vietnam?
What is the Gregorian calendar date for the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025?
Full Moon of the First Lunar Month refers to the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar annually. This is the first full moon of the new year and is one of the significant festivals in Vietnamese culture. Full Moon of the First Lunar Month, also known as the Thượng Nguyên Festival, provides an opportunity for people to visit pagodas to pray for peace, health, and prosperity throughout the year.
Full Moon of the First Lunar Month is not only a spiritually meaningful day but also showcases the traditional beauty in Vietnamese culture.
The offerings for Full Moon of the First Lunar Month include banh chung, banh tet, fruits, sweet rice, and vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes, depending on each family's customs.
According to the perpetual calendar, Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025 falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, which corresponds to February 12, 2025, in the Gregorian calendar.
What is the Gregorian calendar date for the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025? Is the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025 a major holiday in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)
Is the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025 a major holiday in Vietnam?
Based on Article 4 of Decree 145/2013/ND-CP on major holidays:
Article 4. Major holidays
The major holidays in the country include:
- Tet Nguyen Dan (January 1st of the Lunar calendar).
- Founding date of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930).
- Hung Kings Commemoration Day (March 10th of the Lunar calendar).
- Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975).
- Dien Bien Phu Victory Day (May 7, 1954).
- Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890).
- August Revolution Day (August 19, 1945) and National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945).
According to the above regulation, Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in 2025 is not one of the officially designated major holidays in Vietnam like Tet Nguyen Dan, National Day, or Hung Kings Commemoration Day.
What is the fine for burning votive paper on the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month in unapproved locations in Vietnam?
Based on Clause 1, Article 14 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP regarding violations in festival organization:
Article 14. Violations in festival organization
- A warning or a fine ranging from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND will be imposed for any of the following acts:
a) Burning incense or votive paper in unauthorized locations;
b) Using vulgar language, cursing, offending the spiritual fabric affecting the solemn atmosphere of the festival;
c) Wearing inappropriate or culturally disrespectful clothing.
[...]
Based on Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP (amended by Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree 128/2022/ND-CP) regarding fines and penalty authorization for individuals and organizations:
Article 5. Regulations on fines and penalty authority for individuals and organizations
[...]
- The fine levels prescribed in Chapters II and III of this Decree apply to individuals, except where stated in clauses and points specific to organizations.
[...]
Based on Clause 3, Article 28 of Decree 162/2018/ND-CP regarding violations in fire prevention and safety at airports and flight service facilities:
Article 28. Violations in fire prevention and safety at airports and flight service facilities
[...]
- Fines ranging from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND will be imposed for the following violations:
a) Cooking or lighting fires in airports and service facilities without permission or not conformable;
b) Burning incense, candles, votive paper in airports and service facilities;
c) Keeping dangerous items, flammable substances in airports and service facilities that are not conformable;
[...]
Based on Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 162/2018/ND-CP on application principles:
Article 3. Application principles
- Fines prescribed in Chapter II of this Decree apply to organizations, except where specified for individuals, with the organization fine being double the individual fine for the same administrative violation.
[...]
Anyone who burns votive paper at unauthorized locations during festival organization may be fined from 200,000 VND to 500,000 VND.
If votive paper is burned in airports or aviation service facilities, the fine ranges from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND.
Note: The above fines apply to individuals, while organizations with the same violations will face fines double that for individuals.
