A bustling atmosphere as people head to the ancestral church on the full moon of the first lunar month.

(Baonghean.vn) - Ancestor worship is a beautiful aspect of Vietnamese traditional culture, which is why every clan and lineage builds ancestral temples as a place for descendants to remember and honor their ancestors. In Nghe An, after the Lunar New Year, the full moon of the first lunar month is considered an important holiday for descendants to gather and return home.

At the Tran Van family ancestral temple in Cat Van commune (Thanh Chuong district), descendants from all over the country return to gather in large numbers on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Photo: Huyen Trang

Every year, on the 12th day of the first lunar month, the ancestral temple of the Tran Van clan in Cat Van commune, Thanh Chuong district, is filled with descendants. Mr. Tran Van Chau, the head of the branch, said: "Our descendants, both those living in the village and those who have returned from afar, maintain this tradition. The ancestral temple serves as a place to educate future generations and for everyone in the clan to express their gratitude and remembrance of their ancestors."

Offerings such as sticky rice with chicken, fruits, incense, betel nuts, and sweets are arranged solemnly. Photo: Huyen Trang.

Although Mr. Tran Van Son's family has moved hundreds of kilometers away from their hometown, every year, on the full moon of the first lunar month, he and his wife and children return to their birthplace. Mr. Son believes that while they may not be able to return home for Tet (Lunar New Year), they must return for the Lantern Festival. This is also a way to show filial piety to their ancestors and parents.

Just like the Tran Van family in Thanh Chuong, many other families throughout the rural areas of Nghe An province still maintain the tradition of visiting the ancestral temple at the beginning of the year as one of the most important rituals of the year. Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoanh from Anh Son said: On this day, descendants from near and far must return to the ancestral temple to light incense, prepare offerings, and pay respects to their ancestors. In addition, this is also an opportunity to pray for peace at the beginning of the year, hoping for national peace and prosperity, and for the family and lineage to be blessed with good fortune and prosperity.

Rituals are held at the family church on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Photo: Huyen Trang

The offerings at the ancestral temple are also prepared very carefully and completely. Each family prepares a tray consisting of sticky rice with chicken or meat, fruits, incense, flowers, and betel nuts to offer to their ancestors. The offerings for the full moon of the first lunar month usually don't need to be elaborate or meticulously arranged; the main thing is that they are complete and abundant. At the ancestral temple at the beginning of the year, everyone lights an incense stick at the ancestral altar, praying for the souls of the deceased to find peace and for them to bless and protect the homeland and their descendants with the best things.

Despite the many vicissitudes of history and changes in life, the tradition of visiting ancestral temples at the beginning of the year is still preserved by many clans. The preparation of the ancestral offerings is simpler than before, but its meaning remains the same. It is a way for descendants to express their respect and gratitude to their ancestors and origins, inspiring them to strive for better results in their work and studies.

Huyen Trang