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On the 23rd of the last lunar month, all Vietnamese families worship the Kitchen Gods. Many wonder whether they should worship the Kitchen Gods when moving to a new house, especially close to Tet.
Worshipping the Kitchen Gods is an ancient tradition of the Vietnamese people. According to folklore, on the 23rd of the last lunar month, the Kitchen Gods ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the family's deeds and misdeeds throughout the year. Therefore, every household prepares an altar on this day to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods.
Vietnamese people believe that the Kitchen Gods bring peace and blessings to the family, rewarding them for their good deeds. Hence, worshipping the Kitchen Gods is very important for every family. Each year, families prepare elaborate altars to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods, with some families even meticulously preparing full ritual prayers.
The ritual of worshipping the Kitchen Gods usually takes place before noon on the 23rd of the last lunar month. Typically, families conduct the worship on the evening of the 22nd or early in the morning. If the homeowner is busy, the worship must be completed before noon on the 23rd. After noon, the Kitchen Gods return to heaven, and any worship conducted later may not receive the sincere offerings from the family.
Some wonder whether it's necessary to worship the Kitchen Gods when moving to a new house. However, the act of worshiping still occurs as usual, as it stems from the sincerity and goodwill of the homeowner. Additionally, worshiping the Kitchen Gods can be done at the ancestral altar without the need for a separate altar. While some households in the Southern region may opt to set up a separate altar for the Kitchen Gods in the kitchen, this practice is deemed unnecessary by many. Some believe that having multiple altars in the house may lead to disharmony among family members and could potentially disrupt relationships. While this is merely a personal belief, it's worth considering for a better quality of life.
