In early spring, we talk about our family lineage and offer sacrifices to our ancestors.

They are a group of people sharing a common bloodline, connected from generation to generation within a community. They represent an extended family concept. To some extent, they can also be likened to a miniature "state." Therefore, strong clans contribute to building strong villages and a strong nation.

The role and position of clans in society are very important. Therefore, more than ever, we need to preserve and promote them. Ultimately, the development of clans is always linked to the development of the country. In recent years, with a more prosperous economy, people have had the opportunity to connect with their roots. The movement to build ancestral tombs and perform ancestral worship ceremonies has become quite widespread.

Annual ancestral worship ceremonies are a beautiful custom that fulfills the cultural and spiritual needs of the family. What we should be most concerned about is how to organize these ceremonies in a way that is both in line with national traditions and practically effective, especially in educating a sense of responsibility towards our ancestors, avoiding ostentatious displays and wastefulness.

We often say: family, family traditions…referring to the cultural norms and customs of a family or clan. This discipline and order shouldn't only be displayed on the ancestral worship day, but must be maintained regularly. The material aspects of the ancestral worship ceremony are optional, but the most important thing is the solemnity and respect, expressing the gratitude of descendants to their ancestors, transforming this sentiment into material strength through good learning and work. Besides the rituals, the ancestral worship day should be a day for descendants to promise before the spirits of their ancestors to correct shortcomings from the past year and improve in the new year. To achieve this, each clan needs its own clan covenant, which everyone in the clan must abide by, considering it as the "law" of their clan. A clan covenant must have clear rewards and punishments; only then will the ancestral worship ceremony have vitality.

In recent years, many clans have used ancestral worship ceremonies to commend and reward descendants who excel in their studies and work, and to resolve disagreements within the clan. However, many clans still hold ancestral worship ceremonies that are merely ceremonial, and sometimes even lead to conflicts and arguments among family members, causing disunity. This is a case of "more harm than good," and surely our elders would not be pleased with such a situation.

The ancestral worship ceremony usually takes place after Tet (Lunar New Year), in January. This is because it is springtime, a time of leisure for farmers, and a time when descendants have the opportunity to gather together.

To guide clans to operate effectively, it is suggested that the Department of Culture, the Fatherland Front Committee, and the government at all levels should annually organize meetings of clan leaders to commend exemplary clans, guide them in writing family genealogies, clan agreements, and other socially relevant matters.

Khanh Chi