Vietnamese traditions and customs for the seventh lunar month

In Vietnam, the arrival of the seventh lunar month, often referred to as the ‘Ghost Month’ or the Vu Lan festival, brings a significant focus on spiritual traditions, ancestor worship, and cultural customs.

Many families prioritize cleaning altars, offering incense, and preparing vegetarian meals to show respect to ancestors and cultivate compassion. There is a notable increase in demand for vegetarian food services and ritual offerings. Some households also practice burning dried ginger and garlic skins to warm the living space and improve air quality during the humid season.

Cultural practices during this period often include visiting pagodas, performing charitable acts, and visiting ancestral graves. Conversely, various folk beliefs suggest avoiding major financial transactions or large purchases—such as real estate, vehicles, or expensive electronics—to avoid perceived bad luck. Rituals for wandering souls, known as ‘cúng cô hồn’, are typically performed in the late afternoon to seek peace and protection for the household.