The tradition of the Kitchen Gods on the 23rd day of the twelfth Lunar month

In Vietnamese belief, the Earth God and the three Kitchen Gods are deities who determine a family’s fortune, misfortune and blessings. With the intention of reporting on the household’s activities over the past year and expressing hopes for a prosperous new year, families annually hold a ritual on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods as they ascend to heaven. The deities remain away for seven days, returning to the mortal world on Lunar New Year’s Eve to resume their duties of overseeing the household’s land, home and kitchen.

Early in the morning, the areas of Minh Xuan Ward, Ha Giang 1 Ward and Ha Giang 2 Ward were livelier than usual. Families headed to markets at dawn to purchase offerings and carefully prepare for the ritual. Most households perform the ceremony before noon, with the indispensable rite of releasing carp into rivers, lakes or ponds.

At the Tam Co Market five-way intersection on the morning of the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, residents were already bustling about buying carp.

Red carp are typically favored during this occasion.

Vendors usually place three fish in a single plastic bag.

This year, the average price is VND10,000 per red carp.

Shops selling votive paper offerings are crowded at this time.

Preparations for the ritual offerings often take place from the day before until the day after the main ceremony.

Customers purchase flowers in preparation for the Kitchen Gods ceremony.

Betel leaves and areca nuts are indispensable items on the offering tray.

The area around the Song Lo Ferry Terminal in Minh Xuan Ward is crowded with residents releasing carp in a ritual act of merit-making.

The provincial chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, in coordination with provincial departments and agencies, has guided residents in performing fish releases and collecting waste to protect the environment.

Quang Hoa