After the gold offering ceremony on the third day of the Lunar New Year, the seventh day of the first month is commonly regarded as the last day of the Tet Nguyen Dan festival.
What You Need to Know About the Khai Ha Ceremony
What is the Khai Ha Ceremony?
The Khai Ha Ceremony is essentially the ritual of bringing down the ‘ne’ pole, typically performed by people in the afternoon of the seventh day of the first month to mark the end of the Tet holiday period. Today, although the custom of erecting the ‘ne’ pole is no longer widespread, the Khai Ha ceremony is still observed as an indispensable part of the Tet celebrations.
Specifically: According to ancient traditions, the ‘ne’ pole during Tet is set up from the 23rd day of the last lunar month, or at the latest on the 30th day of the last lunar month. It is adorned with decorative items such as small circles or other regional symbols, signifying the farewell to the evils and misfortunes of the old year and welcoming good fortune to the family and community in the new year.
Understanding the Khai Ha Ceremony
On the afternoon of the seventh day, Vietnamese people usually perform the ritual of bringing down the ‘ne’ pole, also known as the Khai Ha Ceremony, to conclude the Tet festivities. After the seventh day, everyone is expected to return to their normal work routine.
According to tradition, a bamboo pole approximately 5-6 meters long is used as the ‘ne’ pole. This pole is typically erected on the 23rd day of the last lunar month or on the afternoon of the 30th day of the last lunar month. It is firmly planted in the ground, with a small circle hanging at the top, along with various symbolic items depending on local customs and traditions.
In some places, people hang bundles of pandan leaves, bamboo frames decorated with red and green paper, talismans shaped like the Bagua, gold and silver papers, couplets, or clay animal figurines. In other regions, small pouches containing betel and areca nuts, flutes, wind chimes, various metal pieces, heavenly leaves, chicken feathers, and garlic bulbs may be used. When the wind blows, the wind chimes and metal pieces create a tinkling sound reminiscent of a musical chime. The wind chime’s name, which sounds like “khánh” (meaning “happiness”), symbolizes that the new year brings joy to the family. At the base of the ‘ne’ pole, lime powder is scattered, and a bow and arrow symbol is drawn.
Tet ‘Ne’ Pole. (Photo: hanoitv).
In the book “Gia Định Thành Thông Chí” by Trịnh Hoài Đức, it is recorded: “On the evening of the New Year’s Eve, every household erects a bamboo pole in front of their house, tying a bamboo basket within which are betel and areca nuts, lime, and hanging gold and silver papers, called ‘lên nêu’… symbolizing the new year and driving away the evils of the old year.”
All these items serve to ward off evil spirits, signaling to them that the land has an owner, preventing disturbances and wishing for a prosperous and peaceful new year.
The ‘ne’ pole also symbolizes authority; the more powerful a family is, the taller their ‘ne’ pole is.
Before bringing down the ‘ne’ pole, the head of the household sets up a small table with a plate of watermelon, some incense, and flowers at the base of the ‘ne’ pole, indicating to the heavens and earth that the family has had a joyful Tet. Then, they shake the ‘ne’ pole until all the dry leaves fall off before bringing it down and hanging the ‘ne’ talisman at the main door (the front door of the house).
For families in business, on the seventh day of Tet, they prepare offerings to pray for a prosperous and successful year.
In recent years, the custom of erecting the ‘ne’ pole during Tet has gradually declined, replaced by the tradition of enjoying peach blossoms and apricot flowers. Many young people today only know about the ‘ne’ pole through traditional verses such as:
Fatty meat, pickled onion, red couplets
‘Ne’ pole, firecrackers, green sticky rice cake
Rituals in the Thanksgiving Ceremony – Tet Khai Ha
Given the importance of the Thanksgiving ceremony, the day of the ritual is also considered a celebration – Tet Khai Ha. It is as significant as the New Year’s Eve celebration. Therefore, before offering incense during the Thanksgiving ceremony, people used to light firecrackers to celebrate. Many families carefully conduct outdoor ceremonies similar to those during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Before lowering all the offerings made during the week of incense, the first step is to perform the gold burning ritual. Each offering of gold and money is burned separately in order: the household gods first, then the ancestors – from the highest to the lowest.
Before lowering each offering, it is customary to bow three times and recite: “I humbly burn the gold and money, clothing… and humbly request the spirits to accept this small offering. With sincerity, I respectfully report to the deities, requesting the spirits to return to the underworld.”
After the offering is complete, the family will shake the ‘ne’ pole to drop all the dry leaves. Then, family members will bring down the ‘ne’ pole, and if there are any talismans or wind chimes on it, they will be hung or affixed to the front door of the house.
For families engaged in commerce, after bringing down the ‘ne’ pole, they will also perform offerings to pray for favorable business conditions in the new year.
However, as modern life progresses, the custom of erecting the ‘ne’ pole has gradually diminished. Nowadays, many households still erect the ‘ne’ pole but decorate it attractively with lanterns and expensive lighting systems. At this point, the ‘ne’ pole has become merely a decorative item, losing much of its former significance.
Gold Offering in the Khai Ha Festival
According to ancient customs, when burning gold, there is often a ceremony to report to the deity “Vũ Lâm sứ giả” to witness the event. The prayer recited at the beginning of the gold burning ritual, at the altar, is to seek permission from the deity to prevent evil spirits from seizing the clothing and gold offered by the believers for the deceased.
When sending items to the deceased, it is important to write down all the offerings and specify who the offerings are for and where they are buried. Just as we send messages to the living, we must include the names and addresses of both the sender and the recipient. After completing the gold burning, it is advisable to recite a respectful request for the spirits to return to the underworld.
Significance of the Khai Ha Offering Ceremony
According to ancient customs, from the 23rd day of the last lunar month until the 30th day of the last lunar month, people erect the ‘ne’ pole adorned with decorative items symbolizing the welcoming of good fortune in the new year. At the same time, this practice helps to drive away the misfortunes of the old year, eliminating evil spirits and preventing them from causing disturbances, ensuring a peaceful Tet for the family.
After the Tet celebrations conclude, descendants perform the gold burning ceremony to bid farewell to their ancestors as they return to the underworld. This ceremony takes place on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. At this time, the Tet ‘ne’ pole is brought down, marking the joyful beginning of welcoming a spring filled with good fortune.
Offerings for the Khai Ha Ceremony
During the Khai Ha ceremony, families prepare a ceremonial meal that can be either vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Items typically include oil, wine, incense, flowers, fruits, plates of rice, and salt. Additionally, gold and silver offerings, and ceremonial papers are included.
Everything is properly arranged outdoors, and the head of the family lights the incense and prays to seek permission from the ancestors before proceeding with the outdoor ceremony.
According to ancient traditions, before offering incense, people would light firecrackers to celebrate; however, nowadays, firecrackers are against the law, and no families maintain this tradition.
Before lowering all the offerings after a week of incense, the head of the family must perform the gold burning ritual. Each offering of gold and money is burned separately in order: the household gods first, then the ancestors – from the highest to the lowest. Before lowering each offering, the head of the family needs to bow three times and pray: “I humbly burn the gold and money, clothing… and respectfully request the spirits to accept this small offering. With sincerity, I respectfully report to the deities, requesting the spirits to return to the underworld.”
When praying during the Khai Ha ceremony, heads of families can refer to the following prayer:
Prayer for the Khai Ha Ceremony
– Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times)
– I respectfully bow to the nine directions of heaven, to the ten directions of Buddhas, to the Buddhas of the ten directions
– I respectfully bow to the Emperor of Heaven, the Earth God, the Long Mach, the Kitchen Gods, and all esteemed deities
– I respectfully bow to the Emperor of Heaven, the Earth God, and all esteemed deities
– I respectfully bow to the Lord of the Current Year, the Guardian of the Land, the Earth Gods, the Kitchen Gods, and the Long Mach deity.
– I respectfully bow to the ancestors, both paternal and maternal, and all the spirits of the deceased.
Today is the seventh day of the first month of the year …………………
We are: …………………………… aged………………
Currently residing at ……………………………………………….
With sincerity, we prepare incense, flowers, and offerings, following the proper rituals and present them before the altar. We respectfully state: The spring festival has ended, the Lunar New Year has passed, and we now wish to burn gold and money, to express gratitude to the deities, and to escort the spirits back to the underworld.
We sincerely request blessings, kindness, and protection for the living and the deceased, that all may find auspiciousness, peace, prosperity, and harmony in the family.
With sincere hearts and humble offerings, we pray for your mercy and witness.
Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times)
(Traditional Vietnamese Prayer – Culture and Information Publishing House)
This year, the Khai Ha ceremony falls on the seventh day of Tet, which is February 16, 2024.
