Hang Ma Street in Hanoi is colourful with votive paper offerings which are used at the farewell ceremony for the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods on their yearly visit to Heaven. (Source: VNA)
As the legend goes, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver an annual report on the household's activities to the God of Heaven. (Source: VNA)
On that day, people burn paper clothing, including hats, robes and boosts, intended for use by the genies on the trip beyond. (Source: VNA)
After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decorating their houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean house represents a fresh start. (Source: VNA)
On the New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their care-taking duties in the kitchen of the house. (Source: VNA)
The fire in the kitchen is the symbol of not only warm family union, but also a bumper harvest and agricultural development of Vietnamese people. (Source: VNA)
The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflects Vietnamese's respect of family happiness. (Source: VNA)
Hanoi people busy staging farewell ceremony for Kitchen Gods
Hanoi people are busy staging a farewell ceremony for the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) on the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which falls on February 8.
