Today is the 22nd day of the Lunar month of December. Many local people visit Hoang Cau Lake, Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, and Long Bien Bridge to release carp early.

A fish swims free at Hoang Cau Lake.

On the 23rd day of the last lunar month of the year, the Kitchen Gods ride on carp as they travel to Heaven to deliver their annual report on the family’s activities to the Jade Emperor. Before the ceremony to see off the Kitchen Gods, the family tidies up their home and buys offerings for a Kitchen Gods ritual.

After the ritual, the carp are set free so they can carry the Kitchen Gods to Heaven and back. The carp represent prosperity and growth and can magically transform into dragons.

A woman prays for the best wishes to her family before releasing the carp.

Carp or goldfish are typically used for the ritual.

A man releases a fish on Long Bien Bridge.

In Thanh Xuan District

Releasing fish from Chuong Duong Bridge

At Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake

On Long Bien Bridge, many volunteers support local people to ensure the fish are released in a safe manner which is friendly to the environment.

A volunteer holds a board to warn local people not to release fish in plastic bags to prevent environmental pollution.