Baby full-month ceremony: the offering to the Midwife Deities

The full-month ceremony (cúng đầy tháng) thanks the 12 Midwife Deities and the Lord protector for shaping and watching over the baby, and announces the new member to the ancestors. It is an important early milestone.

Dating the ceremony

Folk tradition uses the lunar calendar and the rule "girls back two, boys back one":

• Girl: the full-month falls 2 days before the lunar birth date (a month on).
• Boy: 1 day before.

Convert solar–lunar dates on the perpetual calendar.

The offering tray

Typically includes:

• 12 small bowls of sweet soup (chè) + 1 large bowl.
• 12 small plates of sticky rice + 1 large plate.
• Boiled meat/egg/shrimp set and a boiled chicken.
• Flowers, betel, incense, candles, water, wine.
• Votive paper for the Midwife Deities.

Timing

Usually held in the morning or before the Horse hour (11am–1pm). See the day's auspicious hours to pick a good time.

Prayer & rite

With the tray set and incense lit, the parents give thanks and pray for the child's health and easy growth. See the full full-month prayer.

Many families also name the baby at this time — if you are still choosing, try the baby-name finder.

This follows folk tradition; tray details vary by region — the parents' sincerity matters most.