Buzz
1. What is Doan Ngo Tet?
Doan Ngo Tet, also known as Insect Extermination Festival, is one of the traditional festivals of the Vietnamese people and is observed with reverence and offerings.
Doan Ngo Tet falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. In 2022, Doan Ngo Tet was on Friday, June 3, 2022, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Traditionally, on the 5th of the 5th month, Vietnamese people prepare offerings to their ancestors and deities, praying for a fruitful harvest season free from pests and diseases.
Moreover, ancient Vietnamese believed this day was for expelling worms and insects from the body. Therefore, sour and bitter fruits like green plums and apricots are often chosen for offerings during Doan Ngo Tet.
Depending on the region, the day of insect extermination is celebrated differently. Each food item and ceremonial object in the Doan Ngo Tet offering tray carries its own significance in each region, but all are offered with deep reverence towards the ancestors.
2. Doan Ngo Tet offering trays in the Northern, Central, and Southern regions
According to tradition, the Doan Ngo Tet offering tray typically includes fruits such as plums, apricots; fermented glutinous rice, glutinous rice cakes, and pyramid-shaped cakes... Additionally, incense, flowers, and gold are also prepared according to the cultural customs of each region.
Northern Region Doan Ngo Tet Offering Tray
- Incense, flowers, gold.
- Water, fermented glutinous rice.
- Various fruits (plums, mulberries...).
- Sticky rice, sweet dessert soup.
- Pyramid-shaped cakes, also known as 'tro cakes' or 'pyramid cakes': made from glutinous rice soaked in ash water, wrapped in banana leaves. These cakes are easy to eat, digest, and taste better when served with sugar or honey.
- Fermented glutinous rice: a specialty of the Northern region, especially the variety with golden flowers, as it's not as common or delicious elsewhere. Some places even offer purple fermented glutinous rice.
Central Region Doan Ngo Tet Offering Tray
- Incense, flowers, gold.
- Water, fermented glutinous rice.
- Various fruits such as mulberries, plums...
- Pyramid-shaped cakes, also known as 'tro cakes' or 'pyramid cakes'.
- Sweet soup cake: a familiar and special dish found in the Doan Ngo Tet offering tray of Quang Nam province.
- Duck meat: this dish is often found on the Doan Ngo Tet offering tray of Central Vietnamese people. According to ancient beliefs, duck meat is cool in nature, eating it will cool down the body, promote blood circulation, and benefit digestion.
- Rice wine-soaked sticky rice: this dish in the Central region is made using traditional fermentation methods, and it has a square shape.
Southern Region Doan Ngo Tet Offering Tray
- Incense, flowers, gold.
- Water, fermented glutinous rice.
- Various fruits such as mulberries, plums...
- Rice wine-soaked sticky rice: unlike in the Central region, rice wine-soaked sticky rice in the South is formed into round balls before fermentation. When the wine starts to ferment, sugar water is added. Eating it feels similar to enjoying sweet soup cakes in the Northern region.
- Giant pyramid cakes: made similarly to tro cakes but slightly larger. These cakes are made from glutinous rice and stuffed with various fillings, then wrapped in leaves and boiled or steamed until cooked.
- Floating dumplings: large round dumplings made from white glutinous rice flour, filled with fragrant mung beans, eaten with ginger syrup and coconut milk.
3. When is the best time to perform the Doan Ngo Tet ritual in 2022?
'Doan' means the beginning, and 'Ngọ' refers to the time period from 11 am to 1 pm. Therefore, the Doan Ngo Tet ritual should be conducted at the exact Ngọ hour (12 pm noon) on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
If the household cannot arrange the ritual during the specified time frame, it can be conducted between 7 am to 9 am.
These are two auspicious time frames, highly suitable for carrying out spiritual rituals.
Above is the most accurate information about the Doan Ngo Tet offering trays from the Northern, Central, and Southern regions. Hopefully, this article will help you prepare a complete offering tray for a smooth and fortunate ritual.
