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The Ultimate Guide to Traditional Vietnamese Engagement Ceremonies: Navigating the Nine-Tray Offering and More.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the traditional Vietnamese engagement ceremony, specifically focusing on the nine-tray betrothal gift, and explore the proper way to present these gifts to the bride's family, adhering to time-honored customs and traditions.

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14 July, 2024

The betrothal ceremony is an extremely important ritual in Vietnamese wedding customs. It is considered a crucial prelude to the wedding day, where the groom’s family presents betrothal gifts to the bride’s family, formally asking for their blessing to marry. Upon accepting these gifts, the bride’s family gives their consent, and wedding preparations begin.

1 What is a Betrothal Ceremony?

What is a betrothal ceremony?

The betrothal ceremony is a deeply rooted tradition in Vietnamese culture, serving as a vital precursor to the wedding day. During this ceremony, the groom’s family presents betrothal gifts, or “tráp,” to the bride’s family. This act symbolizes a formal request for the bride’s hand in marriage. The acceptance of these gifts by the bride’s family signifies their consent, and the couple is then considered officially engaged to be married.

The betrothal ceremony is steeped in symbolism and tradition. It is often seen as a way to honor and respect the bride’s family and seek their blessing for the union. The gifts presented during this ceremony are carefully selected and carry significant meaning, representing the groom’s family’s sincerity and good intentions.

2 What are the 9 Betrothal Trays?

Betel and Areca Tray

The first tray presented during the betrothal ceremony contains betel leaves and areca nuts. This combination is symbolic in Vietnamese culture, often used to initiate important conversations and signify the start of new beginnings. The groom’s family carefully selects fresh, green betel leaves and ripe areca nuts, ensuring they are presented in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Wine and Medicine Tray

The second tray contains wine and traditional medicine. Wine is a symbol of gratitude toward ancestors and respect for the bride’s family. The medicine represents the groom’s family’s wishes for good health and longevity for both families.

Lotus Seed Tray

The third tray features lotus seeds, which hold symbolic significance in Vietnamese culture. Lotus seeds are believed to represent nobility and elegance, often associated with the beauty and grace of ancient brides. By including lotus seeds in the betrothal gifts, the groom’s family expresses their love and admiration for their future daughter-in-law.

Spouse Cake and Green Bean Cake Tray

The fourth tray contains Spouse Cake and Green Bean Cake, two traditional Vietnamese confections. Spouse Cake, also known as “bánh phu thê,” symbolizes the deep bond and harmony between the couple. Green Bean Cake, or “bánh cốm,” represents the sweetness and romance of their love. These cakes are believed to bring good luck and bless the couple with a happy and fulfilling marriage.

Fruit Tray

The fruit tray is a symbol of blessings for the couple’s future children and a sweet and romantic life together. It is believed that the variety of fruits represents an abundance of choices and options for the couple’s future offspring.

Red Sticky Rice and Green Bean Tray

The red sticky rice and green bean tray is a colorful and symbolic offering. The red color of the sticky rice is associated with good luck and fortune, while the green beans symbolize prosperity and abundance. Together, they represent the couple’s wishes for a lucky, prosperous, and fulfilling life together.

Roasted Piglet Tray

The roasted piglet tray is a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the bride and groom. It is believed that the piglet brings good luck and financial success to the couple. This tray also represents a blessing for the couple to have children and prosper in their new life together.

3 Traditional Order of Carrying the 9 Betrothal Trays

Traditional Order of Carrying the 9 Betrothal Trays

When presenting the betrothal gifts, the groom’s family follows a specific order, which is considered important in Vietnamese tradition:

Betel and Areca Tray, followed by the Wine and Medicine Tray, Roasted Piglet Tray, Fruit Tray, Red Sticky Rice and Green Bean Tray, Lotus Seed Tray, and finally, the Spouse Cake and Green Bean Cake Tray.

4 Important Considerations for the 9 Betrothal Trays

Important Considerations for the 9 Betrothal Trays

The Betel and Areca Tray is always placed first and in the center of the table, symbolizing the start of the ceremony.
The remaining trays can be arranged flexibly around the central tray, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing display.

This article provides a detailed guide to the 9-tray betrothal ceremony and the significance of each gift. We hope that through this article, you have gained a deeper understanding of this important Vietnamese tradition and are now more knowledgeable about the betrothal ceremony and its role in Vietnamese weddings.

Frequently asked questions

A traditional Vietnamese engagement ceremony is a cultural ritual that marks the official betrothal and upcoming marriage of a couple. It is a significant event that involves the exchange of gifts, blessings, and vows between the two families.

The ‘Nine Tray Offering’ is a crucial part of the engagement ceremony. It symbolizes the couple’s respect and gratitude towards their ancestors and deities. The offering typically includes items such as fruits, cakes, betel leaves, areca nuts, and traditional Vietnamese delicacies.

The ceremony usually begins with the groom’s family visiting the bride’s home. They present the ‘Nine Tray Offering’ to the bride’s family, who then accepts and returns with gifts of their own. The couple then exchanges rings, vows, and blessings from their elders. There may also be traditional rituals such as lighting incense, praying, and honoring the ancestors.

The specific items in the ‘Nine Tray Offering’ can vary, but typically it includes betel leaves and areca nuts (which symbolize affection and unity), fruits (representing prosperity and fertility), cakes and pastries (for sweetness and abundance), and traditional Vietnamese delicacies like ‘bánh chưng’ or ‘bánh Tét’ (glutinous rice cakes).

Yes, there are several traditions and taboos associated with Vietnamese engagement ceremonies. For example, it is considered taboo for the bride-to-be to wear revealing clothing or bright colors during the ceremony. The couple should also avoid wearing shoes inside the house during the event. Additionally, it is customary for the groom’s family to bring a gift of betel leaves and areca nuts to the bride’s family when visiting their home.