Vietnamese knowledge, page 17

Folk taboos

Ghost Month, the 7th Lunar Month: Folk Taboos and Buddhist Perspectives

Explore the origins of the Ghost Month, common folk taboos, and the Buddhist view of Vu Lan, helping you understand correctly to live peacefully and avoid superstition.

Folk belief

Star Worship and Misfortune Resolution at the Start of the Year: Origins, Cultural Significance, and a Buddhist Perspective

Explore the origins and cultural significance of the Vietnamese folk practice of star worship and misfortune resolution (dâng sao giải hạn) at the lunar new year, along with an analytical perspective from Buddhist teachings for a balanced and objective view.

Regions

Comparing the customs of making chung cakes and tet cakes across three regions during Tet

Explore the unique customs of making Tet cakes in Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam: from square chung cakes, Southern tet cakes to Central specialty cakes. The article offers an objective comparison based on references.

Tet and seasonal rites

Cold Foods Festival and the Custom of Making Bánh Trôi, Bánh Chay as Ancestral Offerings

Explore the origins, meanings, and distinctions of the Cold Foods Festival (3rd day of the 3rd lunar month) in Vietnamese culture, tied to the custom of making bánh trôi and bánh chay for ancestral offerings.

Historical figures

Tran Hung Dao - Duc Thanh Tran: From Anti-Mongol General to Nationwide Worshipped Saint

Explore the journey from military genius Tran Quoc Tuan, who led three resistance wars against the Mongol Empire, to Duc Thanh Tran in Vietnamese spiritual life through festivals, seal talismans, and temples.

Folk belief

Đạo Mẫu – Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship (Tam Phủ / Tứ Phủ)

Đạo Mẫu is Vietnam's indigenous Mother Goddess religion, honoring female deities of Heaven, Earth, Water and Mountains, inscribed by UNESCO in 2016. Explore its origins, pantheon and rituals.

Vietnamese commemorative days

Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day (Oct 13): Origin and Meaning

Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day on October 13 was officially recognized in 2004, linked to President Ho Chi Minh's 1945 letter to the industrial and commercial sectors.

Traditional crafts

Traditional Incense Making of the Nung An People in Cao Bang

Explore the 100-year-old Phia Thap incense craft of the Nung An people in Cao Bang, from natural materials and handmade process to cultural and economic values.

Traditional festivals

Phu Day Festival: The Center of Mother Lieu Hanh Worship

The Phu Day Festival in Nam Dinh is the center of the Mother Goddess worship of the Three Palaces, honoring Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, with rituals of Chau Van singing, Hau Dong mediumship, and many unique folk cultural activities.

Folk belief

Quan The Am Festival at Ngu Hanh Son - Da Nang's largest Buddhist festival

Discover the Quan The Am Festival at Ngu Hanh Son: its origin from a natural stalactite statue, distinctive rituals, and value as national intangible cultural heritage.

Festival customs

Rằm Tháng Giêng (Tết Nguyên Tiêu): The First Full Moon and Temple-Going Traditions

Discover the meaning of Rằm Tháng Giêng, the year's first full moon, the saying "a year of offerings can't match this one," and temple-visiting and star-releasing traditions.

Ethnic minority belief

Beliefs and Festivals of the Cham People

The Cham community comprises three distinct religious streams: Cham Bàlamôn, Cham Bàni and Cham Islam, each with its own festivals and practices, from Katê to Ramưwan.

Folk divination

Vietnamese New Year Temple Customs of Fortune Sticks and Leaf Picking: Meanings and Proper Practices

Explore the spiritual meanings of the Vietnamese New Year customs of fortune sticks (xin xam) and leaf picking (hai loc) at temples, with detailed guidance for proper practice and preserving cultural heritage.

Folk taboos

Traditional Tet Taboos and Customs for Good Luck

Explore traditional Vietnamese Tet taboos: avoiding sweeping, giving fire, breaking things... and the spiritual meanings behind these customs.

Traditional food

Traditional Cuisine in the Cultural Festivals of the Cho Ro People

Explore the role of traditional cuisine in Cho Ro cultural festivals, from canh boi, com lam to five-color sticky rice, along with its significance for preservation and community tourism development.

Folk belief

Cau Mua Ceremony - Agricultural Ritual of the San Chay People in Ba Che

Explore the Cau Mua ceremony of the San Chay people in Ba Che, Quang Ninh: origins, spiritual significance, ritual process, and its role in community agricultural life.

Traditional festivals

Kate Festival: The Grandest Celebration of the Year for the Cham Brahmin People

Explore the Kate Festival of the Cham Brahmin people in Ninh Thuan: its origins, timing, the sacred robe procession, spiritual significance, and vibrant activities during this grandest traditional New Year celebration.

Festival customs

Ông Công Ông Táo: The Kitchen Gods' Journey to Heaven on the 23rd of the 12th Lunar Month

Learn about the legend of the Kitchen Gods, the meaning of the ông Công ông Táo ceremony on the 23rd of the 12th lunar month, the carp-releasing custom, and how to prepare the offering.

Folk taboos

Folk Taboos for Groundbreaking, House Construction, and Housewarming

Explore Vietnamese folk taboos around groundbreaking, house construction, and housewarming, from choosing dates and directions to rituals and forbidden items, helping you understand and apply them sensibly.

Regions

Comparing the Kitchen Gods worship customs across regions

Explore the fascinating differences in the Kitchen Gods worship customs on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month among the North, Central, and South regions of Vietnam, from timing and offerings to distinctive rituals.

Date selection

How to Read Good and Bad Days in the Traditional Vietnamese Almanac

A basic guide to reading good and bad days in the traditional Vietnamese almanac: day Stems-and-Branches, Yellow/Black Path days, and factors to cross-check.

Historical figures

Nang Han - Legendary Female Heroine in the Beliefs of the White Thai People

Explore the legend of Nang Han, a female heroine who disguised herself as a man to repel foreign invaders among the White Thai people of the Northwest, and understand the festivals, beliefs, and unique spiritual life of this community.

Folk belief

Hungry Ghost Festival on the 15th Day of the 7th Lunar Month: The Meaning of the 'Absolution of the Dead' Ritual in Folk Belief

Explore the deep meaning of the Hungry Ghost Festival on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (Vu Lan/Ulambana), its Buddhist and Taoist origins, along with unique rituals, offerings, and folk beliefs of Vietnamese people.

Folk taboos

Folk Taboos During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Explore common Vietnamese folk taboos during pregnancy and postpartum, explaining their origins and modern scientific perspectives.