VietNamNet Bridge – For the first time Hanoi held traditional rituals to see the Kitchen God off yesterday, February 3. Besides the icons of earthen tripods and offerings, a paper-made gold carp of almost 4 meters long was processed from the ancient pottery village of Bat Trang to Hanoi’s center.

Hanoi to hold the Kitchen God festival


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The procession began at 7am, from the village of Bat Trang.

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The procession went along the bank of the Red River to the center of Hanoi.

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The gold carp is 3.5 meters long, 1.2 meters high.

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An earthen tripod, caps and shoes of the Kitchen God, 12 trays of offerings and the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh were brought from Bat Trang to Hanoi’s center.

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Releasing carp to see the Kitchen God off on the 23rd of the last lunar month has become the tradition of the Vietnamese people.

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Next year the procession will go from Bat Trang to Hanoi’s center by boat.


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After offering incense at the statue of King Ly Thai To and the Ngoc Son temple, the procession went around the Hoan Kiem Lake and to the Van Ho Exhibition Center. The unique procession attracted hundreds of viewers.

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This is the first time Hanoi held such a procession.

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At the end of the festival, the gold carp was burned for the Kitchen God.



Compiled by M. Lan