When is Tomb-sweeping Day (Qingming Festival) 2024? What needs to be prepared?

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Every year, the Thanh Minh Festival is an important occasion in Vietnam’s traditional culture, where people take time to remember and honor their ancestors. Through rituals, we not only show respect for the deceased but also express gratitude for the values of the past. Especially with the Thanh Minh Festival 2024 approaching, let’s learn about this important holiday and the necessary preparations to fully honor our ancestors.

When is the Thanh Minh Festival in 2024?

According to the beliefs of Eastern countries, traditional culture is closely tied to the lunisolar calendar and the 24 solar terms of each year. In this system, the Qingming (Clear and Bright) solar term is considered one of the most important periods, marking the transition from the cold winter to the warm spring.

The long history of East Asians has closely combined astronomical and agricultural knowledge to determine the timing of each solar term. The Qingming solar term is known for its cool air, marking the beginning of a fresh spring. Traditionally, the Qingming solar term usually begins 45 days after the Start of Spring and 105 days after the Winter Solstice.

The Thanh Minh Festival is one of the important traditional holidays of the Vietnamese people, where families gather to express gratitude to their ancestors. In 2024, the Thanh Minh Festival will take place on April 4th of the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to the 26th day of the 2nd lunar month, and lasts for about 15-16 days.

What to prepare for the Thanh Minh Festival 2024?

Thanh Minh Festival 2024 is a traditional holiday with a strong spiritual character, where families gather to honor their ancestors and create a cozy atmosphere. To prepare for this holiday, people need to take some specific steps.

1. Tomb decoration:

Thanh Minh Festival is an occasion for people to visit and decorate ancestral tombs. Cleaning the tomb and placing flowers and oil lamps are symbols of gratitude and reverence for grandparents and ancestors. At the same time, it creates a solemn and respectful decorative space.

2. Prepare offerings:

On Thanh Minh Festival, offerings are essential. Families need to prepare fruits, incense, lamps, tea, wine, clear water, betel nuts and votive paper money. The offering tray is often made more special by adding the deceased’s favorite dishes to express remembrance.

3. Cleansing ceremony:

In addition to preparing the offerings, performing a cleansing ceremony is also an important part of preparing for Thanh Minh Festival. The ceremony helps families eliminate negative energies, creating a fresh and peaceful atmosphere for the home.

The meaning of Thanh Minh Festival

The meaning of Thanh Minh Festival is not only to remember and honor ancestors but also contains many spiritual and social values. Thanh Minh Festival usually falls at the time when nature begins to transition from the cold winter to the warm spring. This is also the time when Vietnamese people believe that the souls of their ancestors will return to visit their families and receive offerings from the living. Therefore, preparation and offering ceremonies become extremely important.

Besides the spiritual aspect, Thanh Minh Festival is also an occasion for family reunions, gathering together, sharing memories and stories about ancestors. Through this, the younger generation learns about traditions, cultivates filial piety, and respects family.

Thanh Minh Festival is not only an occasion for remembrance but also a festival of family love, human compassion, and gratitude. Its profound meaning helps maintain and promote traditional values, enriches the soul, and strengthens community solidarity.

What to eat during Thanh Minh Festival 2024?

During Thanh Minh Festival, the meal not only brings traditional features but also provides an opportunity for family gatherings and remembrance of ancestors. To create a traditional and meaningful reunion meal, the following dishes are popular and characteristic choices:

• Boiled Chicken: Boiled chicken is considered a traditional dish that is indispensable in the Thanh Minh Festival meal. Tender, delicious chicken not only enriches the meal but also carries good meaning, symbolizing family reunion and happiness.
• Gac Sticky Rice: Gac sticky rice has a vibrant red color, symbolizing luck and prosperity. The characteristic flavor of gac sticky rice, along with its delicate color, makes it an important part of the Thanh Minh Festival meal, creating a warm and solemn atmosphere.
• Mung Bean Sticky Rice: Delicious and light mung bean sticky rice is not only tasty but also symbolizes stability, health, and joy.
• Bamboo Shoot and Pork Knuckle Soup: A traditional and appealing soup with the characteristic flavor of bamboo shoots, complemented by delicious pork knuckle.
• Mushroom Soup: A light and nutritious soup. With a delicate flavor, mushroom soup not only complements the meal but also shows respect for natural foods.
• Vegetarian Spring Rolls: This dish is not only a good choice for vegetarians but also brings richness and deliciousness to the Tet meal.
• Fruits: Fresh and colorful fruits not only bring freshness but also are a healthy and nutritious choice for the whole family.

This article has helped us better understand Thanh Minh Festival 2024 and prepare the necessary things. Let’s welcome Thanh Minh Festival with reverence and a solemn spirit, creating a solemn, warm, and loving family atmosphere.

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