Changes In Offerings In The Cult Of Tutelary Deities In Contemporary Hanoi

Abstract

Hanoi is Vietnam’s economic, political, and cultural center. Alongside major religions, the cult of Tutelary Deities, with its associated institutions such as communal houses, temples, and shrines, remains widespread in the city’s spiritual life. In the contemporary context, this belief system has undergone various transformations while still preserving many traditional customs, including the preparation and offering of ritual items. Offerings constitute an essential component of worship, expressing faith,reverence toward protective deities, and reinforcing communal norms and cohesion. This article provides an overview of offerings in religious and spiritual practices, and focuses on analyzing both traditional characteristics and current trends of change in offerings within the Cult of Tutelary Deities in Hanoi.