
1. Choosing the Best Day and Time for Post-Tet Gold Engraving
Selecting a day for the gold engraving ceremony varies among families, typically ranging from the 3rd to the 10th day of the Lunar New Year. However, most families prefer the 3rd day of Tet for the gold engraving ceremony.
In 2023, the 3rd day of Tet falls on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, according to the Gregorian calendar. The optimal time frames for performing the gold engraving ceremony on the 3rd day of Tet are:
Quý Mão (5 AM - 7 AM): Jade Avenue
Bính Ngọ (11 AM - 1 PM): Four Virtues
Mậu Thân (3 PM - 5 PM): Azure Dragon
Kỷ Dậu (5 PM - 7 PM): Bright Avenue
In addition to the tradition of gold engraving on the 3rd day of Tet, in the Year of Quý Mão 2023, you can also consider 3 other suitable days to perform the gold engraving rituals after Tet, namely the 4th, 5th, and 8th days of the 1st lunar month.

2. Gold Engraving Offering Altar
The items for the gold engraving offering altar are typically similar to those for ancestral worship, including incense, flowers, wine, water, tray of five fruits, areca nut and betel leaves, lamps, candles, hell banknotes, gold paper, cakes, candies.
- The gold engraving offering altar can be a savory or vegetarian feast with typical Tet dishes. For a savory feast, essential items include a rooster, soup bowl, stir-fry dish, sausage, and fried spring rolls.
The gold engraving offering table can feature either savory or vegetarian dishes with typical Tet specialties. For a savory table, essential items include a rooster, soup, stir-fried dishes, sausage, and fried spring rolls.

3. Rituals of Offering Gold Engraving after Tet

After setting up the offering table, the head of the family will proceed to light incense and offer prayers to bid farewell to the ancestors.
Reference: Most Accurate Gold Engraving Offering Rituals for the Year of Quý Mão 2023
When the incense burns out or after a week of burning, the head of the family clasps hands and bows three times to seek permission from the ancestors to take the gold paper away. Respect is paid first to the deities before the ancestors.
The gold paper is burned in a clean, airy place, with dedicated utensils, not chosen haphazardly.