Honoring the Kitchen Gods: A Unique and Beautiful Cultural Practice In Vietnam
Well-known for the long-lasting history and rich culture, Vietnam is the land of festivities and celebrations. December of Lunar Calendar is usually the busiest month as everybody is in a rush to prepare for some biggest festivals of the whole year. Besides Tet Festival, Tet Tao Quan ( kitchen god worship in Vietnam) is considered one of the most essential festivals in Vietnamese religious beliefs.
Kitchen Gods worshipping ritual is held on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, which falls on January 22nd this year 2025. It is also considered the start of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival – the biggest and most important traditional holiday for Vietnamese.
The origin of this beautiful custom
Current practices of worshipping kitchen gods in Vietnam
Vietnam Travel with Golden Holiday Travel
Above is our share about a beautiful custom in Vietnam – Kitchen God Worshipping. We hope you love this authentic & interesting culture in Vietnam as well. Travelling to Vietnam during Vietnamese Lunar New Year will bring you many good chances to enjoy the festive activities & explore awesome local cultures. In need of local travel support, feel free to drop us an email to [email protected] or WhatsApp us at +84.988451530 !
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Frequently Asked Questions
According to Vietnamese belief, the Kitchen Gods (comprising two male gods and one female god) reside in the kitchen of every household to observe the family’s behavior throughout the year. On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, they depart for Heaven to report the family’s deeds to the Jade Emperor. This custom highlights the importance of the family hearth and the desire for a prosperous, moral household.
The festival is celebrated annually on the 23rd day of the last month of the Lunar calendar, usually falling in late January or early February. This event marks the official beginning of the Tet (Lunar New Year) preparations. For travelers, this is a vibrant time to see local markets filled with ceremonial offerings and golden carp
The golden carp is considered the “heavenly vehicle” or the “horse” that the Kitchen Gods ride to reach the Heavens. After the offering ceremony at the family altar, locals head to nearby rivers, lakes, or ponds to release live carp into the water. This act symbolizes letting go of the old year’s troubles and providing the gods with the means to fulfill their divine journey.
A typical offering includes a set of three paper caps and robes (two for men and one for women), accompanied by paper boots and sometimes paper horses. Families also prepare a tray of traditional food, such as sticky rice, boiled chicken, and fruit. Most importantly, three live golden carp are placed in a bowl of water on the altar before being released into the wild.
Travelers in Hanoi during this time should visit the Old Quarter markets or the area around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake. You will see thousands of people gathering at the water’s edge to release carp. Observing this ritual offers a deep insight into the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people and their respect for ancestral traditions
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