Celebrating the First Full Moon in Nha Trang: A Look at Vietnam’s Rằm Tháng Giêng Traditions

Celebrating the First Full Moon in Nha Trang: A Look at Vietnam’s Rằm Tháng Giêng Traditions

A vibrant rectangular banner celebrating Rằm tháng Giêng (Tết Nguyên Tiêu) in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The design features a glowing full moon in the center, surrounded by red and gold lanterns hanging from the top. A subtle silhouette of a Buddhist temple and pagoda appears in the background, creating a serene yet festive atmosphere.

The 15th day of the Lunar New Year, known as Rằm tháng Giêng in Vietnam, is one of the most significant spiritual and cultural celebrations in the country. Also called Tết Nguyên Tiêu, this day marks the first full moon of the new year and holds deep religious and family importance. In coastal cities like Nha Trang, where Buddhist traditions remain strong, the festival is celebrated with temple visits, offerings, and vegetarian feasts.

The Importance of Rằm Tháng Giêng

A well-known Vietnamese saying states:
"Lễ cả năm không bằng Rằm tháng Giêng"
("The first full moon is more important than all other ceremonies in the year.")

This highlights how crucial this day is for Vietnamese people. It is believed that praying and making offerings on this day will bring peace, good fortune, and prosperity for the entire year. Many families also see this as an extended celebration of Tết, a final chance to wrap up their New Year festivities with spiritual blessings.

How People in Nha Trang Celebrate Rằm Tháng Giêng

A vibrant rectangular banner depicting people in Nha Trang, Vietnam, visiting pagodas and making offerings for Rằm tháng Giêng (First Full Moon Festival). The scene showcases individuals lighting incense, placing offerings such as fruits, flowers, and traditional dishes at an altar, and praying for blessings. A grand Buddhist pagoda with golden statues and intricate carvings stands in the background, illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns. The atmosphere is serene and spiritual, with soft sunlight enhancing the sacred ambiance.

1. Visiting Pagodas and Making Offerings

In Nha Trang, Buddhist temples and pagodas are crowded with worshippers on Rằm tháng Giêng. Some of the most visited temples include:

  • Long Sơn Pagoda (Chùa Long Sơn) – Famous for its giant white Buddha statue, this is a key destination where locals pray for health, success, and happiness.
  • Từ Vân Pagoda (Chùa Ốc) – Also known as the Snail Shell Pagoda, this temple is popular among those seeking spiritual purification and peace.
  • Tháp Bà Ponagar – Though it is a Cham temple, many Vietnamese also visit to seek blessings from the goddess Thiên Y Ana, who is believed to protect the land and people.

At the temples, people light incense, bring offerings such as fruits, flowers, sticky rice, and vegetarian dishes, and participate in chanting sessions.

 

A vibrant rectangular banner depicting people in Nha Trang, Vietnam, enjoying a vegetarian feast for Rằm tháng Giêng (First Full Moon Festival). The image showcases a beautifully arranged table with traditional Vietnamese vegetarian dishes such as bánh ít trần, bún riêu chay, gỏi ngó sen, and xôi gấc. The warm and festive setting is enhanced by red and gold lanterns, a glowing full moon, and a subtle silhouette of a Buddhist temple in the background, symbolizing peace, blessings, and a prosperous new year.

2. Eating Vegetarian Food (Ăn Chay)

Rằm tháng Giêng is one of the biggest days for vegetarian food in Vietnam. Many people believe that eating chay (vegetarian food) on this day will cleanse the body and mind, bringing good karma for the rest of the year.

Some popular vegetarian dishes enjoyed in Nha Trang include:

  • Bánh ít trần chay – A steamed glutinous rice dumpling with mung bean filling.
  • Bún riêu chay – A vegetarian noodle soup with tofu, tomatoes, and a light broth.
  • Gỏi ngó sen – Lotus stem salad with a mix of nuts and herbs.
  • Xôi gấc – Red sticky rice, which symbolizes luck and prosperity.

Many local vegetarian restaurants (quán chay) in Nha Trang, such as Quán Chay Bồ Đề and Quán Chay Hoan Hỷ, are packed with diners on this day. Some temples also provide free vegetarian meals for visitors.

 

A vibrant rectangular banner depicting people in Nha Trang, Vietnam, lighting lanterns and making wishes for Rằm tháng Giêng (First Full Moon Festival). The scene captures individuals releasing glowing red and gold lanterns into the night sky near the beach, with a full moon shining brightly above. A Buddhist temple and pagoda are subtly silhouetted in the background, enhancing the spiritual and festive atmosphere. The warm colors of deep blues, golds, and reds create a magical moment of hope, blessings, and new beginnings.

3. Lighting Lanterns and Making Wishes

In some parts of Vietnam, Tết Nguyên Tiêu is also associated with the Lantern Festival, inspired by Chinese traditions. While Nha Trang doesn’t have large-scale lantern displays like in Hội An, some families still release floating lanterns (đèn hoa đăng) into rivers or the sea as a way to send wishes for peace and prosperity.

At the beaches, you may see small groups gathering at night, lighting lanterns and making silent wishes as they watch them drift into the sky or waves.

 

A warm and festive rectangular banner depicting a Vietnamese family in Nha Trang gathering at home for Rằm tháng Giêng (First Full Moon Festival). The scene features multiple generations, including grandparents, parents, and children, sitting around an ancestral altar adorned with offerings such as fruits, flowers, tea, and traditional dishes. Incense smoke rises gently, creating a spiritual atmosphere. The background is decorated with red and gold elements, symbolizing luck and prosperity, while soft candlelight enhances the sense of warmth, unity, and tradition.

4. Family Gatherings and Worship at Home

Just like during Tết, family plays an important role on Rằm tháng Giêng. Many people prepare an ancestral altar offering (cúng gia tiên) at home, which includes:

  • A tray of fruits (mâm ngũ quả) – Representing gratitude to ancestors.
  • Rice, tea, and wine – Offered to spirits for blessings.
  • Traditional desserts – Such as chè trôi nước (sweet rice dumplings in ginger syrup), symbolizing unity and smoothness in life.

Some families also burn incense and paper offerings to honor their ancestors, believing that their prayers will be answered.

Conclusion

Rằm tháng Giêng is a special time for spiritual reflection, family reunions, and expressing gratitude. In Nha Trang, this day is deeply tied to Buddhist traditions, with thousands of people visiting temples, enjoying vegetarian food, and making offerings. Whether you are a local or a visitor, witnessing or taking part in these celebrations will give you a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

If you’re in Nha Trang during this time, don’t miss the chance to experience the beauty of Rằm tháng Giêng—a festival that brings light, hope, and blessings for the year ahead! 🌕🏮✨

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