US Ambassador releases carps to see off Kitchen Gods

US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink is at Kim Lien pagoda in Hanoi for performing the Vietnamese traditional New Year ritual of releasing carps to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The pagoda’s head nun Thich Dam Thanh welcomes the diplomat (Photo: Minh Son/ Vietnam+)

This is the second time the Ambassador has visited Kim Lien Pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Ambassador Daniel had earlier visited the pagoda during the Full Moon Festival (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Head nun Thich Dam Thanh welcomes US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

US Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink gives New Year 'lucky money' to head nun Thich Dam Thanh (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Kim Lien is one of the most ancient and beautiful pagodas in Hanoi (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The ambassador visits the worshipping place of Princess Tu Hoa at the pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink greets nuns at the pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink and nuns of the pagodas perform ritual of releasing carps (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Before releasing carps, the Ambassador and nuns chant Buddhist prayers for a prosperous new year (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The US Ambassador said this is the third time he has celebrated Tet in Vietnam. However, this is the first time he has joined in releasing carps on Kitchen Gods Day (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

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 (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink and head nun Thich Dam Thanh release carps into a pond at the pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, it is traditional to release live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered a kindhearted deed to pray for good luck (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Bidding farewell to the Kitchen Gods is one of the most sacred and meaningful annual events that signals the start of the Lunar New Year (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The US Ambassador is presented with cabbage grown in the pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Among the temples and pagodas in Hanoi, Kim Lien Pagoda is considered one of the magnificent pagodas that retain its ancient architecture (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)