Every year, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Vietnamese people will perform a ceremony to worship Ong Cong Ong Tao and release live carp into rivers and lakes, where there is clean water.
This year, the day of Ong Cong Ong Tao falls on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Gregorian calendar.
According to the book "Cultivation Customs of Vietnamese People" (Culture and Information Publishing House), after performing the worship ceremony, the homeowner needs to take the live carp for release.
In addition to finding a suitable water source, when releasing fish, it is necessary to do it gently, avoiding strong impacts. When releasing fish, it is not necessary to pray, just keep a cheerful and comfortable attitude, showing positive energy.
Vietnamese folk beliefs believe that the ceremony of worshiping Ong Cong and Ong Tao should not be performed after 12 noon on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. When worshiping too late, Ong Tao will not have time to go to court. Therefore, homeowners should worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao early and release carp before 12 noon on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month (ie, February 10th of the Gregorian calendar).
This year, the Ong Cong Ong Tao worshiping ceremony can be held from December 20th of the lunar calendar to December 23rd of the lunar calendar (ie February 7th to February 10th of the Gregorian calendar). Depending on the conditions of each family to choose and arrange it appropriately. Beautiful time frames for worshiping Ong Cong Ong Tao and releasing carp are as follows:
- December 20th of the lunar calendar (February 7th of the solar calendar): Ty hour (11pm-1am), Suu hour (1am-3am), Mao hour (5am-7am), Ngo hour (11am-1pm), Than hour (3pm-5pm), Dau hour (5pm-7pm).
- December 21st of the lunar calendar (February 8th of the solar calendar): Tiger hour (3am-5am), Rabbit hour (5am-7am), Snake hour (9am-11am), Monkey hour (3pm-5pm), Dog hour (7pm-9pm), Pig hour (9pm-11pm).
- December 22nd of the lunar calendar (February 9th of the solar calendar): Ty hour (11pm-1am), Suu hour (1am-3am), Thin hour (7am-9am), Ty hour (9am-11am), Mui hour (1pm-3pm), Tuat hour (7pm-9pm).
- December 23rd of the lunar calendar (February 10th of the solar calendar): Ty hour (11pm-1am), Dan hour (3am-5am), Mao hour (5am-7am), Ngo hour (11am-1pm), Mui hour (1pm-3pm), Dau hour (5pm-7pm).
