New Year's Eve (Giao Thừa) is the most sacred and important moment in Vietnamese culture, marking the transition between the old and new year. At this moment, every family sincerely prepares offering trays to present to the heavens, earth, and ancestors, praying for a peaceful and happy new year. However, one of the most common questions is: Should New Year's Eve worship be performed indoors or outdoors first? This article will provide a detailed answer to that question, while also guiding you on how to prepare a proper and meaningful New Year's Eve ceremony.

What is the meaning of the New Year's Eve ceremony in Vietnamese culture?

To understand the order of worship, we first need to grasp the meaning of the two important ceremonies on New Year's Eve. According to folk beliefs, each year a Heavenly Mandarin (Quan Hành Khiển, also known as the Deity of the Year) is sent by the Jade Emperor to govern all affairs on Earth. New Year's Eve is the moment of the "handover of duties" between the old mandarin and the new one.

Therefore, the New Year's Eve ceremony consists of two main parts with distinct meanings:

• The Outdoor Ceremony (worshiping Heaven and Earth): This ceremony is to bid farewell to the Heavenly Mandarin of the old year and welcome the new one. As the handover happens very quickly, the deities do not have time to enter the house, so the offering tray must be placed outdoors. This ritual shows the family's reverence for the deities, heaven, and earth, praying for their protection and blessings in the coming year.
• The Indoor Ceremony (worshiping Ancestors): After completing the ceremony for the deities, the family head proceeds with the worship at the ancestral altar. This is an occasion for descendants to gather, offer a feast to their ancestors, report on the past year, and ask for blessings, protection, and prosperity for the family in the new year.

So, should you worship on New Year's Eve indoors or outdoors first?

Based on the meanings analyzed above, the correct and traditional answer is: You must perform the outdoor New Year's Eve worship first, followed by the indoor worship.

The reasoning for this order is very logical according to the Vietnamese concepts of "respecting elders and superiors" and "guests before family." The Heavenly Mandarins are deities from heaven, considered "honored guests" who come to govern the mortal world. Therefore, welcoming them must be prioritized, right at the moment of Giao Thừa (00:00). After completing the ritual for the deities, the family head then turns to perform the ceremony for the ancestors indoors. This is how respect is shown to both deities and ancestors, ensuring a solemn ceremony that adheres to ancient customs.

What to prepare for the outdoor New Year's Eve offering tray?

The outdoor offering tray does not need to be overly elaborate but must be solemn and include basic items. The tray is usually placed on a large table, covered with a clean cloth, and set up in front of the main door. The offerings typically include:

• Savory dishes: A whole boiled rooster, symbolizing purity and a good start. The chicken should be beautifully presented, with a rose in its beak. Other items include square sticky rice cake (bánh chưng), red sticky rice (xôi gấc), and Vietnamese pork sausage (giò lụa).
• Incense and flowers: Incense sticks, lamps or candles, and fresh flowers (usually chrysanthemums or gladioli).
• Fruits: A five-fruit tray (mâm ngũ quả) with fresh, colorful fruits, symbolizing the five elements and the wish for abundance.
• Other items: Prepared betel leaves and areca nuts, white wine, clean water, a plate of salt, and a plate of rice.
• Votive paper: Votive hats, robes, boots, and money offered to the deities. These will be burned after the ceremony.

How is the indoor New Year's Eve offering tray different?

The offering tray for ancestors indoors is usually a lavish savory feast, expressing the descendants' filial piety and the desire to share a reunion meal with them. These are familiar dishes, elaborately cooked and beautifully arranged. Preparing for a cozy Tet 2037, the ancestral offering tray needs to be meticulously prepared, showing the sincere hearts of the descendants. The feast often includes:

• Main dishes: Square or cylindrical sticky rice cake (bánh chưng or bánh tét), boiled chicken, sticky rice (red or mung bean), Vietnamese pork sausage, and cinnamon pork pâté.
• Soups and stir-fries: Bamboo shoot soup with pork bones, stir-fried glass noodles with chicken offal, pig ear salad, fried spring rolls...
• Other offerings: White wine, tea, a five-fruit tray, fresh flowers, votive paper, and indispensably, a set of bowls and chopsticks arranged as if inviting the ancestors to join the feast.

The biggest difference is that the indoor offering is very family-oriented, representing a reunion meal, while the outdoor offering is more ritualistic and formal, meant for communicating with deities.

What are the important notes when performing the New Year's Eve ceremony?

To ensure the New Year's Eve ceremony proceeds smoothly and solemnly, you should pay attention to a few points:

• Time: The outdoor ceremony must be conducted at the exact stroke of midnight (00:00), the moment of Giao Thừa. The family head should be ready in advance and start reciting the prayer as the clock ticks over to the new year. The indoor ceremony can be performed immediately after.
• Attire: The person performing the ceremony (usually the eldest male in the house) and other family members should wear clean, tidy, and formal clothes to show respect.
• Attitude: Maintain a sincere and solemn attitude throughout the ceremony. Avoid loud talking, joking, or attending to personal matters.
• Prayers: Prepare separate prayer texts for the outdoor and indoor ceremonies. Recite the prayers in a clear and respectful tone.

These customs have been preserved for many generations and will continue to be cherished in the upcoming year of the Fire Horse 2026, forming an indispensable part of the cultural beauty of Vietnamese Tet.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to the question "Should you perform New Year's Eve worship indoors or outdoors first?" is to always perform the outdoor ceremony first to welcome the deities, then proceed with the ancestral worship indoors. Understanding and following the correct order not only demonstrates an appreciation for traditional culture but also shows the family's sincerity. Wishing you and your family a warm, solemn New Year's Eve and a prosperous new year!