Veneration of the dead in Vietnam

Once in Vietnam, you’ll pay attention to the beautifully decorated altars, which can be seen everywhere. These altars are installed not only at home, but also in shops, restaurants and even in offices.

Veneration of the dead in Vietnam

The reason to install them is the Vietnamese tradition of veneration of the dead, held very seriously. Many Vietnamese are atheists and do not follow any religion, but the dead relatives are remembered and revered by all the inhabitants of the country. The altars in houses are dedicated not only to deities, but also to ancestors. Every day the Vietnamese bring fresh water, fruit or other food, money to the altar and light incense. On the altars you can see pictures of dead relatives who are still loved and remembered. The Vietnamese believe that the spirits of ancestors continue to live somewhere nearby and can help in a difficult situation. And the descendants, in turn, must constantly take care of them and perform certain rituals.

During some holidays, the Vietnamese burn fake money or models of objects. They believe that this way these things get into the world of dead ancestors and they will be able to use them. On the anniversary of the death of ancestors, family members gather together and set the table in memory of their late relatives.

It should be noted that the veneration of the dead is not associated for the Vietnamese with the ghosts of spiritism in the Western sense. The locals simply believe that the spirits of their ancestors continue to live in a different world and it is the duty of descendants to care for them.

Veneration of the dead and the Tet Holiday

Special attention is paid to the altar on the eve of the Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. It is cleaned and redecorated. The most beautiful bright and ripe fruits, found at the markets or in your own garden, are chosen for the Tet. Traditionally, the festive set consists of five fruits, which symbolize the five elements of the eastern philosophy — earth, fire, water, metal and wood. There is also an opinion that the Vietnamese associate five fruits with five fingers on their hands, that help a person to live and develop.

Veneration of the dead in Vietnam is a good tradition that helps the locals to preserve their roots and respect the memory of their relatives.