Since time immemorial, Vietnam's 7th Full-Moon Festival has been referred to as the month of wandering souls or the month of ghosts and demons. This period is also recognized as the time when the gates of the underworld open, granting amnesty to the wandering spirits. Therefore, there is a customary practice of conducting rituals to offer solace to lost souls, those without a proper resting place.

The beliefs of Vietnam's 7th Full-Moon Festival

Ancient Vietnamese beliefs hold that humans consist of two parts: the soul and the body. When death occurs, the soul departs from the body, which eventually decomposes, while the soul continues to exist. The soul may ascend to the heavens, undergo reincarnation (as a human or another being), or descend to hell based on the deeds committed during one's lifetime. There is also a belief that if a person dies unjustly, the wandering souls may not find a resting place and endure hunger, cold, or disturb the living.

Vietnamese believe that the human soul continues to exist after death

Due to the belief in the existence of the soul, the majority of Vietnamese people observe the ancestral worship ritual, paying homage to their deceased relatives, even if it contradicts the religious doctrines they follow. Offering rituals to wandering souls can be seen as a humanitarian act to "assist" suffering spirits. Simultaneously, it can also serve as a form of "bribery" to avoid harassment from unjust spirits or seek their "support".

The full moon of July in the lunar month is regarded as Wandering Soul’s Day or Ghost Festival, a day when the gates of hell open to grant amnesty to wandering spirits, allowing them to ascend to the mortal realm to receive the offerings of the living. Spiritually, to avoid disturbances from these wandering souls, people often set up altars to offer rituals on the 7th lunar month's 15th, seeking peace and tranquility. Hence, the custom of offering rituals to wandering souls during the 7th lunar month is prevalent, and colloquially, it is referred to as the month of wandering souls.

Ghost festival holds significant spiritual meaning in Vietnamese culture

The customs on Vietnam’s 7th Full-Moon Festival

During the 7th lunar month, Vietnamese will visit temples and pagodas to make offerings, burn incense, present offerings to ancestors and wandering spirits.

Conducting rituals for wandering souls

Rituals for the ghost festivals can occur in different locations such as the courtyard, in front of the house, or on the sidewalk (if the street is wide). In some places, people organize collective rituals at communal places, temples, or crossroads. These ceremonies typically occur in the afternoon.

The offerings on the altar for wandering souls are simple, consisting of vegetarian items familiar to the Vietnamese. This includes paper clothing in various colors, various types of cakes and sweets, colored sweet soups, 12 bowls of thin porridge, joss paper, water or rice wine, salt, rice bowl, corn, and seasonal fruits.

The offerings for the ghost festival include simple dishes

Notably, no salty items are used on the altar for wandering souls, as it is feared that presenting such items may arouse the greed of spirits. After completing the ritual, there is a procedure to bid farewell to the "guests", inviting the wandering spirits to leave to avoid bringing them into the house, which could lead to misfortunes for the family.

In some regions, in addition to home rituals, people also perform ceremonies for wandering souls at bridges, roadside eateries, communal houses, and temples, known as rice offerings (cúng cháo). Offerings include porridge, rice balls, fruits, cakes, betel and areca, and joss paper. The ritual items are placed on plates or trays, while porridge is served in banyan or jackfruit leaves, rolled into cone shapes.

In some places, people will make offerings by the roadside

The practice of “snatching soul” (Giật Cô Hồn)

The custom of "snatching souls" is a distinctive tradition among the people of the Southern region of Vietnam, originating from Chinese business families. This ritual involves the host grabbing the offerings after completing the ceremony for wandering souls on the full moon of the 7th lunar month. According to the beliefs of the past, snatching souls is synonymous with the idea that the misfortunes and troubles of the host will be taken away by others.

Successfully "snatching" all the offerings is considered fortunate, as the host believes it indicates that they have satisfied the wandering souls. Moreover, many people believe that the more wandering souls "snatch" the offerings, the more prosperous and wealthy the family becomes.

"Giật Cô Hồn" has long been a distinctive feature of the Ghost Festival each year

Vietnam's 7th Full-Moon Festival is a captivating celebration of tradition, spirituality, and cultural richness. Let's travel to Vietnam and witness the cultural vibrancy, partake in age-old rituals, and experience the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality. Immerse yourself in a celebration that transcends time, offering a glimpse into the soul of a nation deeply connected to its roots.