For most Vietnamese, Tet (Lunar New Year festival) has actually begunwith the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony onthe 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which falls on February 11this year.

On this day, every family is busy staging a farewellceremony for the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods on their yearly visitof Heaven.

The Kitchen Gods, the guardian spirit of the kitchen,are believed to comprise two male gods and one female, who bless thehousehold and keep up the kitchen fire, making every member of thefamily happy and well-off.

As the legend goes, the Land Genieand the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver anannual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven.

Asthe gods make their journey on the back of fish, it is traditional torelease live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered akindhearted deed to pray for good luck.

On that day, people alsoburn paper clothing, including hats, robes and boots, intended for useby the genies on the trip beyond.

After the Kitchen Gods go toHeaven, families begin tidying and decorating their houses to usher inthe New Year as they believe that a clean house represents a fresh star.

On New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their caretaking duties in the kitchen of the house.

Althoughresidents in each region across the country pay their homage to OngCong and Ong Tao in slightly different ways, the gods remain importantfigures in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year.

The fire inthe kitchen is the symbol of not only warm family union, but also abumper harvest and agricultural development of Vietnamese people. Thecustom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflects Vietnamese’s respect offamily happiness.-VNA