What Happens When You Ignore the Spirits During Vu Lan?

I have been to Vietnam a few times and have heard that they have their own unique way of celebrating the Ghost Festival. In Vietnam, the Ghost Festival is known as the Vu Lan Festival. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month and is a time for people to honor and pay respects to their deceased ancestors.

One story that I heard was from a friend of mine who was working in Ho Chi Minh City. He had been there for a few months and was getting used to the culture and way of living. Being a Chinese Vietnamese, he was very familiar with the Ghost Festival traditions. One day, while shopping, he came across a street vendor selling a special type of rice that is only available during the Ghost Festival. Intrigued, he bought some and brought it home to eat.

That night, he had a vivid dream filled with wandering spirits in his apartment, pleading with him for food. Startled, he woke up in the middle of the night to find rice scattered all over his bed. Fear gripped him, and he immediately threw the rice out. However, when he tried to return to sleep, the same dream recurred. He realized that the rice he had bought was meant to feed the wandering spirits.

Offering food for spirits during the Vu Lan Festival. Source

Panicking, he remembered that he had some incense and paper money. He quickly burned the incense and paper money, offering a prayer to the wandering spirits. The next morning, he woke up to find everything back to normal. He felt relieved, knowing that he had appeased the spirits. From that day on, he became more cautious when buying food during the Ghost Festival.

The Vietnamese believe that during the Ghost Festival, the gates of hell are opened, allowing wandering spirits to roam the earth. These spirits are often hungry and seek food to consume. As a result, families leave out offerings for them. If food is not provided, the spirits may become angry and return to haunt the living.

Festive preparations and reverence for ancestors at the Vu Lan Festival. Source

During the 7th month, Vietnamese families prepare food and drinks for their deceased relatives, burning incense and paper money as offerings. Although the Ghost Festival may not be as grand as the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, it holds significant meaning for the Vietnamese people.

It’s important to note that the Vietnamese Ghost Festival is not as frightening as its Chinese counterpart. While the Chinese believe that wandering spirits seek food and can be vengeful, the Vietnamese view this month as a time for family reunions and honoring ancestors. The emphasis is on remembrance and love, rather than fear.

A table set with offerings for ancestors including rice and incense. Source

As I reflect on this story, I hope you have gained insight into the unique traditions surrounding the Vietnamese Ghost Festival. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring our ancestors and the delicate balance between the living and the spirits.

Categories: Culture, Festivals, Ghost Stories, Traditions
Tags: Ancestor Worship, Cultural Traditions, Vietnamese Ghost Festival, Vu Lan Festival, Wandering Spirits
Religion: Buddhism
Country of Origin: Asia, Vietnam
Topic: Ghost Festival
Ethnicity: Vietnamese