Sunny morning on the third day of Tet, long lines of Ho Chi Minh City residents gathered early at traditional shops on Tran Phu Street (District 5) to purchase chickens for offerings. This is a cherished cultural practice in Vietnamese Tet traditions.
Traditional Customs on the Third Day of Tet
According to custom, the third day of Tet marks the time when families perform the ritual of sending ancestors back to the afterlife after days of reunion with their descendants. In this ceremony, the chicken offering plays a crucial role as an indispensable element on the altar.
The altar for the third day of Tet often features carefully selected roasted chickens
Shops selling offering chickens along Tran Phu Street began welcoming customers from early morning at 5 AM. By noon, the number of visitors increased significantly, forming a line nearly 1 kilometer long. This highlights the importance of the ancestral farewell ritual in the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
The Market for Offering Chickens on the Third Day of Tet
Despite a slight price increase compared to usual days, the quality of the offering chickens remains high, making them acceptable to many buyers. Each set of offering chickens, including roasted chicken, porridge, and salad, costs around 350,000 VND, about 20,000 VND more than usual.
Shop staff work continuously to meet customer demands
To meet the high demand, many shops have increased their capacity by boiling 3-4 pots simultaneously. Some shops expect to serve nearly 1,000 chickens on this day. The offering chickens are carefully selected, ensuring they are plump, with smooth skin, and appealing appearance.
Tips for Purchasing Offering Chickens to Avoid Long Queues
Customers buying offering chickens usually bring cash and prepare to wait. Without prior orders, waiting times can range from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the situation.
Residents are willing to queue under the sun to buy offering chickens
Experienced shoppers recommend placing orders and paying before Tet to save significant time. “I always order chickens several days in advance so that on the third day of Tet, I only need to pick them up without waiting,” shared Mr. Quy (43 years old).
Deep Cultural Significance
The ancestral farewell ritual is not merely a formal procedure but also expresses the descendants’ respect and gratitude. The offering chicken must be large, robust, and presented carefully.
Offering chickens are considered essential offerings in the ancestral farewell ritual
Through this, people pray for blessings from their ancestors, hoping for a peaceful, lucky, and prosperous new year. It is also an occasion for family generations to gather and preserve valuable cultural traditions.
Conclusion
The tradition of purchasing offering chickens on the third day of Tet reflects the cultural and spiritual beauty of the Vietnamese people and helps maintain traditional values across generations. To avoid long queues, residents should place orders before Tet. Let us continue to uphold and promote these positive customs in modern life.
Source: Dan Tri
