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People busy staging farewell ceremony for Kitchen Gods

Vietnamese people have been busy over the last few days preparing to farewell "Ong Cong - Ong Tao" (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) on their yearly visit of Heaven.
VNA

  • Carps are a​ typical offering in the farewell ceremony on the 23rd of the lunar year's last month, which falls on January 20 this year (Photo: VNA)

  • As the legend goes, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver an annual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven. It is traditional to release live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered a kindhearted deed to pray for good luck (Photo: VNA)

  • A vendor sells paper clothing, including hats, robes and boost, intended for use by the genies on the trip beyond. Many people also hold the farewell ceremony on the 22nd of the last lunar month (Photo: VNA)

  • On New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their caretaking duties in the kitchen of the house (Photo: VNA)

  • A store selling Tet offerings on Hang Ma street in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

  • ​Paper carps are also popular for this event (Photo: VNA)

  • People buy paper clothing for the genies on Hang Ma street (Photo: VNA)

  • Phat thu (Buddha's hand) is a popular fruit offered on the altar during Tet. For most Vietnamese, Tet (Lunar New Year) festival has actually begun with the Ong Cong - Ong Tao ceremony (Photo: VNA)

  • Peach flowers are considered a symbol of Tet in northern Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

  • A vendor carries peach blossoms on her bike (Photo: VNA)

  • A motorist stops to buy flowers (Photo: VNA)

  • Betel and areca, which are also traditional offerings, for sale at a market (Photo: VNA)

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