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Forget what you know about religion in the West — in Vietnam, ancestor worship is not just a spiritual practice, it’s a daily part of life. Nearly every home has a family altar, often the most respected space in the house. Offerings like fruit, tea, cigarettes, or incense are made regularly, especially on anniversaries of the ancestors’ deaths (ngày giỗ).

Why it matters: Vietnamese people believe their ancestors still watch over them. Big decisions — like buying a home or starting a business — are often preceded by lighting incense and “asking permission” from the deceased.

Many believe that the spirit continues to live — sometimes near the family, sometimes wandering. That’s why offerings are left not just at home altars but on the streets, at crossroads, or under trees. These are for “hungry ghosts” or wandering souls with no family to care for them.

Respect tip: Don’t step over these offerings — even accidentally — especially during Ghost Month (usually in August), when the barrier between worlds is believed to thin.

Planning a wedding? Buying a motorcycle? Opening a shop? Consult a fortune teller. Astrology and geomancy (similar to Feng Shui) play a big role. Certain days are considered lucky or dangerous depending on your birth year and elemental sign.

Hidden fact: Many business deals are postponed — or rushed — based on the alignment of stars. Major contracts often include a blessing ceremony.

Dreams are often treated as omens. Dreaming of water? It may mean incoming money. Snakes? A betrayal. A dead relative visiting in a dream? Time to light incense — they might have something to tell you.

Fascinating detail: Some Vietnamese keep dream journals and consult elders to interpret symbolic messages.

Vietnamese culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism. The ideas of karma, humility, and face (social reputation or dignity) guide interactions.

• Don’t embarrass someone publicly.
• Don’t boast, even if you’re proud.
• Be kind, even when you lose.

These values are tied to keeping good karma and avoiding shame. In many situations, harmony is more important than being right.

Walk around any Vietnamese city and you’ll see tiny houses with offerings by trees, gates, or construction sites. These are for spirits of the land (thần đất) — asking permission to use the space, build, or pass through without causing offense.

Strange but true: Some construction projects are delayed because workers believe the land spirit is “angry” — a shaman may be called to do a cleansing ritual before they can proceed.

Before a wedding, many families consult monks or astrologers to check if the couple is compatible based on birth year, zodiac animal, and element. If not, a couple may still marry — but they might perform additional rituals to “balance” their fates.

Behind the scenes: This practice still influences matchmaking, especially in traditional families.

Vietnamese festivals (Tết, Vu Lan, Mid-Autumn, Ghost Month) are packed with symbolic meaning. For example:

• Tết (Lunar New Year) is not just celebration — it’s also deep spiritual cleansing. Homes are scrubbed, debts paid, and bad energy chased out.
• Vu Lan is a day to honor mothers and ancestors — monks chant in pagodas, and people float lanterns to guide lost souls.

Conclusion: A Land Where the Seen and Unseen Coexist

In Vietnam, daily life flows between two worlds — the physical and the spiritual. From altars in kitchens to trees whispered to hold souls, this cultural layer isn’t obvious at first glance, but it’s everywhere once you know how to look.

To travel in Vietnam is to walk gently — with respect for the past, humility in the present, and awe for the unseen.