Lunar July starts from the 1st day to the last day of the lunar month. In 2024, the "ghost month" lasts from August 4 to September 2 (Gregorian calendar).
Vietnamese folklore believes that this is the month of ghosts, bad omens, and misfortunes often appear. Therefore, this is not a good time for activities such as weddings, shopping, or opening businesses.
Explaining this, aside from the spiritual aspect, Mr. Pham Gia Ngoc - former Head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of Phuong Lien ward, member of the management board of Kim Lien temple - added: "July usually has a lot of rain. At that time, those in the business trade face more difficulties or disruptions, making commercial activities less frequent".
Vietnamese people have the custom of offering "ghost" sacrifices for a month but usually focus on the 2nd, 15th, and 16th days of the lunar July. Some places offer sacrifices earlier or later but always in the late afternoon or evening.
Additionally, there are many taboos in folklore such as not hanging wind chimes at the head of the bed, not going out at night, buying clothes... but focusing on worshipping and burning paper offerings for the spirits.
"People should not be too superstitious. Everyone should go to the temple, worship their ancestors at home. Everything should be balanced and moderate, avoiding wastefulness. The main thing is the sincerity of the person.
People often think that whatever exists in the living world is needed in the underworld, but that's not true. We should clearly show our good attitude and sincerity this month. Go to temples, pagodas, shrines, and temples to sincerely worship," Mr. Pham Gia Ngoc said.
Currently, depending on each family and region, the offering and taboos in lunar July have changed a lot. However, from this, distortions in beliefs have appeared. Taking advantage of people's trust, some elements have exploited with superstitious tricks.
Mr. Pham Gia Ngoc affirmed, this is condemnable: "Lavish offerings do not prove the sincerity of the person offering or the filial piety of the child to the parent. Bad elements often exploit the unclear beliefs of many people and families, claiming that the family has bad luck that needs to be resolved in lunar July, thus demanding expensive rituals and high costs. Gullible people will go to temples to perform large rituals but end up losing money and gaining nothing."
Previously, at temples, including Kim Lien temple, many people came to hire mourners (professional criers), but the temple management has strictly controlled this. Currently, only sincere pilgrims come to worship, so this situation no longer occurs."
