What is Ghost Month? 9 Vietnamese Cultural Facts You Need to Know

Many people mistakenly believe Vietnamese Ghost Month is merely a time of taboos and fear of spirits - but in reality, this is a sacred period that reflects the profound compassion and filial piety deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. The seventh lunar month isn't meant for fear, but rather serves as an opportunity for spiritual cultivation, performing good deeds, and living more meaningfully.

So how can you transform Vietnamese Ghost Month into a meaningful journey, from ancestor veneration to discovering authentic Vietnamese handcrafted gifts? Let's explore the true origins and significance of this occasion with CHUS!

What is Vietnamese Ghost Month?

Vietnamese Ghost Month is the folk name for the seventh lunar month, considered by Vietnamese people as the period when wandering souls return to the earthly realm. According to traditional beliefs, from the 1st to 15th day of the seventh lunar month (especially from the 2nd to 14th), the gates of the underworld open, allowing lonely spirits and souls the opportunity to receive offerings and find peace.

During the seventh lunar month, people commonly organize ceremonies to honor wandering spirits, lighting incense and offering food and water to "feed" those souls without refuge.

Vietnamese Ghost Month - a sacred time of Vietnamese compassion

When is Vietnamese Ghost Month 2025?

Vietnamese Ghost Month 2025 will fall around August in the Gregorian calendar. This period represents not only a time for spiritual rituals but also an opportunity for Vietnamese people to express compassion, filial piety, and perform charitable acts.

For more details, you can read: When is the Ghost Month in 2025? Complete calendar guide

Why is it Called "Ghost Month" in Vietnamese Culture?

The name "Ghost Month" originates from the concept of "lonely spirits" - souls without anyone to worship them, wandering without refuge. The word "lonely" conveys solitude and abandonment, expressing sympathy for these unfortunate souls.

During the seventh lunar month, calling it "Ghost Month" also demonstrates respect and empathy for the departed, regardless of blood relations. Vietnamese Ghost Month isn't merely a time of taboos but an opportunity to expand compassion and help suffering souls.

Traditional ghost offerings with lit incense and candles

What is the "Ghost Grabbing" Custom?

Ghost grabbing is a popular folk custom in Vietnam, typically occurring during the full moon of the seventh lunar month, connected to ghost offerings - rituals aimed at comforting and providing for wandering souls without refuge or relatives to worship them.

After the ceremony, homeowners often scatter loose change, candies, rice, salt, and other items on the ground with the belief of "distributing luck" to both the living and spirits. At this moment, many people around will rush to "grab" these items. This action is believed to bring good fortune, "catch luck," ward off bad luck, and reflects the community's psychological desire to connect with traditional beliefs.

Ghost grabbing - an interesting aspect of Vietnamese Ghost Month

Where Does Vietnamese Ghost Month Originate?

The origins of Vietnamese Ghost Month can be explained through three perspectives:

1. From Chinese Taoism - The King of Hell Opens the Gates of the Underworld

The origin of Vietnamese Ghost Month primarily stems from Taoist beliefs. According to this belief, on the 2nd day of the seventh lunar month, the King of Hell (ruler of the underworld) opens the Ghost Gate, allowing wandering souls to return to the earthly realm. The gates of the underworld close again on the night of the 14th day of the seventh lunar month.

2. Buddhist Influence - Vu Lan Festival of Filial Piety

According to articles from the Vietnamese Buddhist Association, the seventh lunar month is also associated with the Vu Lan festival in Buddhism, originating from the story of Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana rescuing his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts. Venerable Thich Nhat Tu affirms that pardoning deceased souls and Vu Lan represent the practice of filial piety, not superstition (according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs).

Vietnamese Ghost Month origins from the story of Maudgalyayana rescuing his mother

3. Eastern Philosophy - Yin Energy and Five Elements

According to the Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy, Vietnamese Ghost Month has the heavenly stem of Gui (Yin Water), a time when yin energy flourishes. Especially during the rainy season, humid air creates a gloomy atmosphere, contributing to the formation of beliefs about spirits and ghosts.

What is the True Meaning of Vietnamese Ghost Month?

Vietnamese Ghost Month carries profound humanitarian significance, not merely a time of taboos or fear of spirits. However, due to superstitious and outdated views held by many people, the seventh lunar month has become an excuse to practice unhealthy behaviors.

According to cultural research experts, the seventh lunar month represents:

• Compassion: Sympathy and assistance for suffering souls
• Filial piety: Remembering ancestors and deceased parents
• Community responsibility: Caring for those without descendants
• Spiritual cultivation: An opportunity to slow down, perform good deeds, and turn toward virtue

Research in "Vietnamese Worship Customs" shows that offering to lonely spirits is an act of compassion, expressing gratitude and community spirit. Vietnamese Ghost Month becomes an opportunity for each person to nurture their soul and grow in love.

The profound humanitarian meaning of the seventh lunar month

Are Vietnamese Ghost Month Taboos Real?

Researcher Nguyen Hung Vi (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) confirms: common taboos during Vietnamese Ghost Month are merely oral traditions, lacking scientific basis.

Common taboos during the seventh lunar month include:

• Not holding weddings or starting house construction
• Avoiding long trips or traveling at night
• Not buying cars or real estate
• Avoiding haircuts or opening new businesses

However, experts believe these taboos are primarily psychological "better safe than sorry" practices, without scientific foundation. Vietnamese Ghost Month is actually an opportunity to honor ancestors and perform good deeds, and shouldn't be cause for excessive fear or superstition. Nevertheless, respecting these taboos can also be a way for individuals to find psychological peace during this period.

Ghost Month taboos, but balance between spirituality and science is needed

>>> Some gift-giving taboos: 7 Ghost Month Gift Taboos: Avoid Cultural Mistakes

What is the Buddhist View of Vietnamese Ghost Month?

Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem affirms that Buddhist scriptures contain no concept of "Ghost Month" or an unlucky month. The seventh lunar month in Buddhism is called "Vu Lan month, the month of filial piety." Offering to lonely spirits is just one of many subsidiary rituals in Vu Lan.

According to Buddhist perspective:

• The full moon of the seventh month is when monks and nuns practice self-reflection (ending the rainy season retreat)
• This is an opportunity for filial piety and pardoning deceased souls in the spirit of loving-kindness
• Offering to lonely spirits expresses compassion, not taboo nature
• Vietnamese Ghost Month is an opportunity for spiritual cultivation and performing good deeds

Buddhism encourages people to view the seventh lunar month as a sacred time to practice filial piety and compassion, rather than fear or taboos.

According to Buddhism, offering to lonely spirits is part of the Vu Lan festival

How Do Vietnamese Ghost Month and Vu Lan Festival Differ?

Many people confuse "Ghost Month" with "Vu Lan Festival of Filial Piety," though both occur during the seventh lunar month. In reality, these are two concepts with completely different origins and meanings.

Comparison of ghost offerings and Vu Lan Festival shows clear differences

How to Live Meaningfully During Vietnamese Ghost Month?

To live meaningfully during Vietnamese Ghost Month, in a way that respects culture while avoiding superstition, people can:

1. Practice Moderate Spirituality

• Honor ancestors and parents with sincere devotion
• Participate in community or temple ghost offerings
• Light incense and offer food and water to wandering spirits

Note: You should prioritize high-quality incense and ceremonial products for ancestor worship, with pleasant and safe fragrances:

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3%

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Four Peaceful Seasons Lotus Incense Sticks, Featuring 4 Distinct Natural Fragrances, Main Ingredient Being Lotus, Pleasant Aroma

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Pure Agarwood

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Ven Agarwood Cone Incense, 98% Frankincense Powder, Contains More Natural Essential Oils, High-Quality, Comfortable To Use

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2. Perform Good Deeds and Charity

• Give alms to the poor and needy
• Participate in charitable activities
• Release animals and help creatures in need

3. Cultivate Yourself

• Slow down and reflect on life's meaning
• Reconcile family conflicts
• Strengthen gratitude and loving-kindness

The seventh lunar month isn't a time for fear but an opportunity for each person to perfect themselves and live more meaningfully!

Living virtuously during the seventh lunar month to receive peace

Vietnamese Ghost Month - Not for Panic

Vietnamese Ghost Month, when properly understood, is part of folk beliefs that reflects the beautiful cultural values of Vietnamese people: compassion, filial piety, and community spirit. The seventh lunar month also demonstrates the humanitarian soul and respect for previous generations.

Instead of fear or superstition, we should view Vietnamese Ghost Month as an opportunity to slow down, cultivate spirituality, and express loving-kindness. This is precisely how we can inherit and promote the nation's beautiful cultural values.

And if you want to express love through gifts, authentic Vietnamese handcrafted gifts on CHUS will be an excellent suggestion!

FAQs

• Does the ghost month really bring bad luck?
  There is no scientific basis to prove that the ghost month is more unlucky than other months. This is merely a folk psychological belief. Experts recommend viewing the 7th lunar month as a sacred time for doing good deeds and spiritual cultivation.
• Should weddings be held during the ghost month?
  From a scientific perspective, there is no problem with holding weddings during the ghost month. However, if families hold traditional beliefs, they may avoid it for psychological comfort.
• Do children need to observe any taboos during the ghost month?
  There is no need to create fear in children about the ghost month. Instead, parents can educate their children about the humanitarian meaning of ancestral worship and compassion.
• Do people who don't follow any religion need to be concerned about the Ghost Month?
  The ghost month is a folk belief, not mandatory for everyone to follow. People of other religions can show respect without necessarily practicing it.
• What preparations are needed for ghost month offerings?
  Ghost month offerings typically include: white rice, plain water, cakes and sweets, fruits, incense and candles. Most important is sincere devotion and compassionate meaning, not elaborate or expensive preparations.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.