
1. Thanh Minh Rituals: At Home and by the Ancestral Grave
Rituals at the Ancestral Grave
Depending on each family, the ritual at the ancestral grave can be a vegetarian or non-vegetarian ceremony. Basic offerings include incense, candles, tea, fruits, wine, water, betel leaves, and gold money.
Vegetarian Feast for Thanh Minh Rituals:
Sticky rice, sweet soup
Bánh kẹo, fruits
Rice, salt
Porridge
Rice cake
Butter
Honey bowl
Savoury Spread for Thanh Minh Rites: In addition to the offerings mentioned earlier, the savoury spread includes extra items such as wine, meat, drumsticks, boiled or grilled chicken.

Clean and embellish the resting place before placing the offerings for the Thanh Minh ceremony
Rituals at Home
You can prepare a Thanh Minh spread with a variety of savoury dishes such as sticky rice, boiled chicken, sausages, bamboo shoot soup, vermicelli, additional stir-fries... and other offerings like fruits, fresh flowers, betel leaves, and gold. Buddhist families often prepare a vegetarian spread.
Some families forego preparing a Thanh Minh spread, opting to offer incense with fresh flowers, tea, cakes... to express remembrance and gratitude to ancestors.
Ritual offerings for Thanh Minh at home don't need to be overly elaborate, depending on each family's conditions and local customs.

Prior to conducting the ritual, it is essential to tidy up the house, ensuring cleanliness, and wipe the ancestral altar.
2. Thanh Minh Ritual at Home
Below is the most comprehensive Thanh Minh ritual at home that homeowners can refer to:
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
I humbly bow to the nine celestial directions, the ten directions of Buddhas, and the Buddhas in all ten directions.
I pay respects to the ancestral lineage, both sides of the family, ancestors from generations past...
I bow to the mighty ancestors, grandparents, Red Grandma, and Red Grandpa in the family.
Today is the day... month... year...
I, named..., age..., born in the village of..., district..., province..., along with my entire family, bow our heads in reverence before the ancestral altar.
We invite the Earth God and Kitchen Gods to join us with benevolence.
Presenting offerings: betel and areca, tea, incense, fruits, and heartfelt items on the occasion of Thanh Minh festival. Inviting the spirits of ancestors, guardians, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings to witness and partake in the ceremony.
I wholeheartedly bow to the ancestral lineage, mighty ancestors, grandparents, and all benevolent spirits. May you safeguard, guide, and bring peace and prosperity to my extended family. May the three summer months and nine winter months be cool and refreshing, bringing luck and auspiciousness to our endeavors.
We offer these heartfelt tributes, seeking the testimony of our ancestors as a testament to the sincerity of our entire family.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (bowing three times)
3. Thanh Minh Tet Ritual outside the tomb, cemetery:
During this ceremony, the homeowner needs to recite two ritual texts. These are the Long Mạch Yin section ritual, paying respects to the spiritual deities governing the area where the tomb is located, and the ancestral spirit ritual in front of the family's tomb.

After completing the recitation of the Thanh Minh Tet ritual, if it is written on paper, it will be transformed
Long Mạch Yin section ritual
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
I bow to the nine realms of the sky, the ten directions of Buddhas, the Buddhas in all directions.
I respectfully bow to the heavenly emperor and the earth, the venerable deities.
I respectfully bow to the local guardian spirits governing this area.
Today is the day... month... year of the Year of the Fire Tiger (read the lunar date).
The believer we are:... (read your name)
Residing at: house number…, ward… district,… city… (your home address)
In honor of Thanh Minh, the faithful devotee wholeheartedly prepares ritual offerings, including betel leaves, areca nuts, tea fruits, and incense, presented before the altar. Inviting revered deities to witness and bless the ceremony.
Our family has the tomb of: the great-grandparents, grandparents, or parents buried in this area, and we wish to renovate and build. Therefore, we respectfully inform the local guardian spirits, earth deities, dragon veins, ancestral spirits, and other divine beings overseeing this region.
We invite the divine beings to witness our sincerity, partake in the offerings, and guide the departed souls to peace and liberation. Humbly seeking protection and blessings for the well-being of our entire family throughout the year, ensuring good health and prosperity in the three summer months and nine winter months, proving the sincerity and devotion of our family.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (bowing thrice)
Ritual for commemorating departed souls at the burial ground
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
I bow to the nine realms, the ten directions, the Buddhas in every direction.
I humbly offer homage to the spirit: (read the name of the person beneath the tombstone)
Today is the day (read the lunar date). On the occasion of Thanh Minh, our family resides at house number…, ward…, district,…, city…
In gratitude for the profound kindness of …, our hearts resonate with thoughts of the departed in desolate places. The devout devotee earnestly prepares offerings, betel leaves, areca nuts, fragrant flowers, and incense, respectfully presented before the tomb. Inviting wandering spirits to partake.
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha!
Homage to Amitabha Buddha! (bowing thrice)
Here is the most comprehensive collection of Thanh Minh Tet worship texts at home and at the grave that Mytour has synthesized. We hope that the information we provide will help you express your sincere reverence for your ancestors.
