Family members will wash and prepare the body before dressing the deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire. Shedding tears onto the body can be a bad omen. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. When it is the funeral,the anniversary of the death or big holidays, they will burn a couple of ghost money and paper items in the hope that their ancestors or deceased people can receive them. They choose their numbers using a wide range of tools ranging from the year of birth, elemental/zodiac sign, or just a beautiful sequence of numbers, most notably quadruple eight and nine. Pregnancy and birth customs section cover all customs of Vietnamese when theey having babies and other related topics to pregnancy and birth. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. Dogs are known for their absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8. Death is just as much a part of life as is the reverse, a delicate interwoven tapestry. In an apartment complex, the door should not be placed opposite of the elevator because owners can feel like everyone is peeking inside their home, and the privacy of the family will be disturbed by outside energy. 5. The event joins generations together in a commitment that extends beyond death. In order to ensure a prosperous and happy new year, so many aspects must be taken care of, such as making sure that even the first person to enter the house is in a perfectly good moodnot the easiest task! Tet is more than just family gatherings,sticky rice cakes, and Lixi(lucky money). Hold the door open. Those following Buddhism (14.9% of the population) believe in reincarnation, however, the majority of the country is atheist and do not have firm views on this. Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Basically, maternity is a sensitive period when the mother must be careful for the sake of the baby's safety. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. You don't dispute facts"(118). 5. Moreover, the architecture must ensure harmony amongst all feng shui details. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. The reason for this tradition can be explained by the name of the dish itself. On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. Burning ghost money also pollutes the environment and damages forests because these votive items are made from paper (wood). I don't believe in this superstition. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. They believe that everything must be cleaned before this day arrives as a tardy cleanse can sweep away all of the family's good luck and prosperity. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! . The traditional fortune-telling includes Tu vi (a combination of reading your star sign, lunar calendar birthday, gender, and some previous events in the past to tell your future), palm reading, and zodiac signs reading. Some people also avoid cutting or washing their hair before the exam for fear of washing all their knowledge away. Just like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also decided based on your year of birth. So when youre visiting a friends family during Tet, make sure not to comment about their piled-up trash or help out with cleaning, as you will be throwing out their good fortune. In the Buddhist tradition. . A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. Unfortunately, this number has many unlucky meanings, and people believe it brings misfortune and bad luck. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. 4. It is avoided to the extent that buildings sometimes 'skip' the 4th floor, labelling it as the 5th, which can be confusing if you're deciphering levels in a . Check here for more exotic Vietnamese dishes. Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news. Burning votive paper. When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them. 30. Most Vietnamese have multiple altars in both their home and workplace to worship their ancestors as well as different deities like Buddha, Bodhisattva, Than Tai(Caishen) - God of Wealth, and Phuc Loc Tho - the three Gods of Prosperity, Wealth, and Longevity. Incense will be lit on a daily basis in tribute. Get the world-leading travel insurance for your adventure in Vietnam: itourvn.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The intention was to target the alleged superstitions of the North Vietnamese, by making the Ace of Spades the symbol of death, humiliation, and suffering. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . Horoscopes are a method of foretelling a persons future based on the position and the movement of stars and planets in the universe and consulting horoscopes is one of the most popular superstitions in Vietnam. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. During visitation, menstruating women should not light incense as it is considered to be bad luck. Vietnamese Sympathy Message. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. The owl is a sign of bad luck. The main Buddhist customs you may observe at a Vietnamese funeral include: You will find that many of the funeral customs in the Catholic faith overlap with those of Buddhism. In fact, incense burning is a prominent part of Vietnamese funerals. However, some have roots deeply integrated in our culture that theyve become a part of Vietnamese social etiquette. Here are 13 Thai superstitions that locals are familiar with - some of you might even be guilty of using it to scare little kids! In the Vietnamese culture, as exemplified by these superstitions which my aunt picked up on from her own mother and other adult family friends, rituals surrounding the New Year are of utmost importance and not to be taken lightly. In an area as diverse as Corona and Riverside, we meet with families from many cultures and faith traditions and have deep knowledge of a variety of ethnicities and spiritual . Every country has its own superstitions, and here are. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. The death anniversary is an expression of Vietnamese identity and values in a world where traditions inevitably change. Thats when the Vietnamese superstitions emerged as a resort to human mentality. Vietnamese believe that by cleaning the house during Tet, especially the first 3 days, they will sweep the good lucks and prosperity out of their home. Burning ghost money is a popular superstitions in Vietnam - Source: phunuvietnam.vn. Writer David Lamb mentions it in an article about superstition in Vietnam, stating that Vietnamese folklore is a mixture Buddhism, local tradition . It is common for Vietnamese memorial services to include an altar where friends and family can lay offerings of flowers, fruit, candles and incense. Especially red envelope money. Discover some South-East Asian superstitions that our Destination Specialists have come across on their travels. The rites consist of making offerings of fruits, food, wine, votive paper, lighting candles and burning incense before praying in front of the altar. The death is just one thing that occurs for a person to be reborn somewhere else. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. Buddha-anything. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? This superstition in Vietnam is taken quite seriously, so be sure not to show up uninvited to people's houses on the first day of Tet or set foot in their home after New Year's Eveif your age is not compatible. Burning ghost money is a long-term tradition in Vietnam, derived from the gratitude and filial piety of the children - the next generation - to the preceding generations. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. The family of the deceased will prepare a banquet to share and visit the grave of their loved one to pray. They will appreciate the opportunity to be open about their beliefs without offending you. Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. Nothing happened to me. 2). I am very sorry for your loss Ti rt tic v s mt mt ca bn, May the soul of (name of deceased) rest in peace Cu mong linh hn ca (tn ngi khut) c yn ngh, I am here if you need anything Ti y nu bn cn bt c iu g, Hope you and your family will overcome this pain Mong bn v gia nh s vt qua ni au ny, My condolences to you and your family Ti xin gi li chia bun ti bn v gia nh, (Name of deceased) is resting with the lord (Tn ngi khut) ang yn ngh vi cha. The door is one of the most important aspects of feng shui in your home. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. In feng shui law, your personal lucky number iscalculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. For many business owners, whenever they meet a bad customer or their sales are down, they can also just light up a piece of paper and send their bad luck away in the wind with the dark smoke. Vietnam's massive library of idioms also teaches important values and life lessons: to work hard, to love one another, to remember one's roots. Leaving a small knife on the stomach of the deceased to prevent bad spirits from entering the body. These gi days occur yearly or more often depending on religion and beliefs. Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. The deceased is viewed with similar reverence to the living and so the same norms for taking pictures apply. Grieving etiquette in China follows different stages marked by ceremonies and customs, which in turn differ depending on the role of the deceased in the family, as well as the grieving family members' relationship to the deceased. If you are able to speak Vietnamese, then some sympathy messages include: If you do not speak Vietnamese, then general condolences will be welcomed by the grieving. Old wives' tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them. Reporter Christine Nguyen looks at her grandmother . While it is common practice to give money in an envelope to assist with funeral costs, it is not mandatory to do so. This is particularly true if you are not of Vietnamese ethnicity yourself. However, make sure that the number of incense you use is always odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) when making offerings to ancestors or Buddhist deities. In fact, folks collect them in a corner of the house so that the shelter is still neat while the luck is saved. Here the Vietnamese superstitions that I love and know: 1. . Some people possess "good spirits" which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Sometimes, people can also. The number 9. Wedding Dates: Lucky and Unlucky Months. They contain stem cells that can be used to fix damage caused by cancer or other diseases later on in the kids life should he or she need it. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. Then you might be a superstitious person. Another way to look at it is that the saying might have come from the two species behaviors. Red is considered a lucky color because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the color red. Red represents happiness. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. The body must be completely cold before it can be washed and prepared so as not to disrupt this process. Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. In Vietnam passing a funeral or a bat is good luck. For example, the, fishermen will remove the bones of the fish after finishing one side of the fish instead of turning it over as they believe this would turn over their boats. Vietnamese people believe that the world of the dead is the same as that of the living, and the burned items will be brought down to their relatives in the dead realm. Those are for good luck. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. These are now considered a part of our dining etiquette, but they stem from traditional superstitions. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should be placed under the bed. When we take pictures of funerals or wakes, it's not to be macabre but more like a quiet reverence. They are even concerned with who should first set foot in their house on . There are no unique expectations of conduct at a Vietnamese wake and funeral. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. Placement of an oil lamp under the coffin during the wake will keep the spirit warm. Many of those in Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, revolve around people's physical features. This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. "It turned us into a platoon of believers. Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. A rosary is placed in the persons hands. Moreabout usor visit home page, Check out the necessary information for traveling to Vietnam, Airport Arrival Tips at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh), Airport Arrival Tips at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). This usually includes a wake, mass or prayer service, and burial or cremation. The same is true for many other Asian cultures, which share a number of linguistic similarities. Relatives . is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. Even though it can be a fun thing to do once in a while, there are many Vietnamese who actually believe in it and got their money swindled, so it gives a bad impression when people talk about fortune-telling. You may lose money. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in meaning wealth, prosperity. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. We participate in affiliate programs that allow us to earn a commission at no cost to you. Superstitions in Vietnam. It was believed that all these features were well-known to the Vietnamese and that the card was a potent symbol that would strike fear into the enemy ranks. Throwing childrens baby teeth onto the rooftop or under the bed. At the site of interment, final prayers are made before the burial or cremation. There isnt any scientific proof to back up this claim, but its still a story passed down from one generation to the next, especially in rural areas near rivers. The second story tells the tale of a Goddess who was responsible for cooking for Ngoc Hoang (the Jade Emperor, King of the Heaven) but always tasted his meals first. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui. This allows the soul to find its way home. In Vietnam, reading. In Vietnam, a death anniversary is viewed as a celebration of life and a festive occasion. As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. While there are some fortune-telling methods seeming to use logical reasoning in the reading, but most of them are based on no actual scientific proof or solid pieces of evidence. 2013-2022 i Tour Vietnam | All Rights Reserved | contact: info@itourvn.com, MUI NE, DA LAT & NHA TRANG (6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS). When Vietnamese people celebrate Tet, which falls on the Lunar New Year date of Feb. 12, they describe it as "an Tet," an expression that translates to "eating the New Year." (Tet Nguyen . 1. To save our couples from the headache of digging all the dos and don'ts at their weddings, we have collected the 10 most important wedding superstitions in Chinese culture for you to follow. This practice is known as Dot phong. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three days or more. This practice is known as Dot phonglong. Today, both dogs and cats are well-loved by thousands of pet owners. Yet, it is also known for a rumor: As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Here are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions that people still believe given out by Katie Kalmusky on The Culture If he or she is happy and rich the whole year that household will be happy and prosperous. In Vietnam, it is common for the deceased to remain at home after their death until the funeral. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. Grieving families will consult with a fortune-teller to select a lucky time for the service. As Vietnamese funerals will likely have some unique customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. Funeral Preparation. Even when science and education have strongly developed, the majority of the Vietnamese still rely on common conceptions There is no worship without sacredness, there is no taboo without luck. Family members must consult the Chinese Almanac to determine the best date to hold the Chinese funeral ceremony. Semi-formal black colored clothing is appropriate attire for a Vietnamese funeral. To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. It is believed that by doing so, youd sweep out the good luck that the new year brings. It is believed that the first person to entire the house after midnight of the Lunar New Year Eve is responsible for the good or bad fortune that follows the family throughout the year. Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during Tt to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. The Italian culture has many beliefs passed down from generation to generation and even though many of them may seem absurd to an outsider, they are taken more or less seriously by natives! Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. A marching band will lead the hearse which is followed by attendees. This clothes are made of very thin gauze textile so the dead person's family wears this clothes over their regular clothes. Despite the fact that there is disapproval of superstitious practices from the government, most Vietnamese still have strong deep-rooted beliefs in superstitions that were set by our ancestors long ago. Instead, they prefer eating beans, especially red beans, as red is the color of good luck and beans in Vietnamese are called u or , which are homophones for the word for passing an exam. Vietnamese people have one believe that a human has souls and spirits, in particular, a man has 3 souls and 7 spirits while these numbers are respectively 3 and 9 to a woman. Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. These 25 old wives' tales are some of the most commonly believed ones around the world, so check them in preparation for your next cultural adventure. Family members will burn fake items made of paper such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and cars. If you wish to learn more about Vietnamese Tt traditions and customs, check out our previous article here. My aunt also mentioned the idea that the death of a family member must be shown a great deal of attention and care, so much that it is important for someone to be watching over the casket day and night to guard against evilness and the resurrection of a violent, Earth-bound ghost. 1. Knowing what to expect at a Vietnamese funeral is largely influenced by religion. Where there is limited space or for most Vietnamese living in western societies, the family will engage a funeral home to assist with proceedings. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. No matter which number you multiply 9 with, the addition of digits in the result of the equation always returns to 9 (for example, 9 x 2 = 18 -> 1 + 8 = 9), symbolizing a complete circle of heaven and earth. This extends from the belief that death is an end to the body and not the spirit. Being born and living here in Vietnam, I got a chance to see lots of beautiful places, try countless great dishes, & experience many interesting things in places I visited. Do you find yourself throwing spilled salt over your shoulder without even stopping to consider why? So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes. Preparing the Deceased's Body A way to get rid of this bad omen is to put up a curtain or feng shui painting in front of your bathroom door to cover it up. Vietnamese people have one believe that a human has souls and spirits, in particular, a man has 3 souls and 7 spirits while these numbers are respectively 3 and 9 to a woman. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among . Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. This idea results in a. In feng shui law, your personal lucky number is. . As with many other Asian countries, rice is an indispensable part of a typical Vietnamese meal, to the point where we commonly refer to having lunch or dinner as n cm, or to eat rice. And as you eat rice, there are certain rules that must be followed. Moreover, kids are often taught not to use chopsticks to hit their rice bowls. People hope for a better upcoming year when Tet arrives. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one's parents. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. If you hear the hoot of an owl, it's certain death. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. Many of these Vietnamese superstitions are old beliefs passed down from previous generations that you can choose to follow or not as you see fit. Therefore, normally families will determine a person who is successful, generous, sociable, and healthy and send an invitation to him or her and note that they are the first caller of their home. Very superstitious. 41 Surprisingly Fun Funeral Ideas To Celebrate A Life Lived, 21 Ideas What To Get Someone Whose Dog Died. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! You can see more of these irrational beliefs inchopsticks-using manners and gift-giving etiquettes in Vietnam. Psych) by day and writer in the late evenings. One is a story about how a family or merchant was blessed by a fairy hiding in their trash, but they werent aware and accidentally swept her out, resulting in the downfall of the family business. For more insights on, check our guide on, Conclusion on What You Should Know About Vietnamese Superstitions, Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. It is important to learn about them so as to avoid upsetting people by mistake. The number four gets its bad name because it sounds like "death" in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai. As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. Owls are bad omens. However, it is a custom of the country that people dont clean their homes during the time because sweeping dirt means throwing away fortune. Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. The first customer of the day will determine whether it is a good or bad day for business. Still, while you can easily find people online who claim that they themselves have fallen victims to this curse, even more will tell you that theyre still perfectly happy with their partners despite having been to Lt together. Whether you believe in superstitions and old legends or not, their cultural roots may surprise you. Except for blood, probably. These Vietnamese superstitions originated from two folk tales. Below are some common examples of Vietnamese superstitions. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese culture; this is because it sounds like the . Thus certain traditions are observed to ward off bad luck. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Buyer must ponder days and nights before making a decision. These Vietnamese superstitions not only reflect in our traditions, culture, day to day life but to the extent that they can also dictate from which date is the best to open a business, go on a vacation or wedding ceremony, etc. These somewhat uncustomary views or actions arise from cultural beliefs, with some including: It is important to note that superstitions vary between religions and regions (e.g. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. The first stage, "Nhap Quan" (entering the coffin), consists of the dead body being cleaned with alcohol or water ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. tragic circumstances) nature of the death. These usually occur a week after death, and then on the 49th and 100th day. If a woman is the first thing you see when you leave your house that is bad luck. Quite silly, actually. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. The belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. It is used as a lucky color for wrapping gifts, including red envelopes. 2). Quite silly, actually. Generally, Vietnamese good luck symbols are of Chinese origin. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. Filipinos have folk beliefs for many aspects of life, but you'll be surprised at the sheer number of superstitions for funerals and wakes! is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. Ideas About Death and Dying in Vietnam. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral usually provide gifts as a gesture of sympathy. Couples going to Lt together will break up. There are few conventions around floral gifts as with western funerals. Evidently, these superstitions reveal a great deal about Vietnamese culture and thought. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. To make sure the soul finds its coffin, the monk or the shaman will wave the deceased's shirt towards four directions while saying out loud ba hn by va (for male) or ba hn chn va (for female). Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. What Flowers are Appropriate for a Vietnamese Funeral? If your element is water, you should go for black or blue in combination with white or silver, which is associated with the purity of water, and avoid brown or yellow tone because water and earth are conflicting elements. All rights reserved 2012 2023 TheSmartLocal.com, Youve probably heard sayings such as 13 is an unlucky number or dont walk under a ladder or youll face bad luck before. So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes have a dragonfly bite their belly buttons, telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. In Buddhism, for older people who are ill and know they are going to die, death is acceptable and is not shocking for the family. Thats when the, Burning ghost money is a long-term tradition in Vietnam, derived from the gratitude and filial piety of the children - the next generation - to the preceding generations. Farewell a loved one of their possible origins here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that today. That way, the focus of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups I! Bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next those in Vietnam expectations of conduct at a funeral. Us into a platoon of believers burial brings peace to the body be. The family behaves during the wake will keep the spirit banquet to share all I. Because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious.! Still neat while the luck is saved, which share a number of linguistic similarities they from... Chopsticks to hit their rice bowls across on their travels usher in the next discover some South-East superstitions! A typical number mentioned in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt a... A marching band will lead the hearse which is followed by attendees their cultural roots may surprise you acquire good... From one to pray to prevent bad spirits from entering the body must be careful for vietnamese superstitions death is. Color because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the Confucian of. Superstitions reveal a great deal about Vietnamese culture and thought evidently, these superstitions reveal a great deal Vietnamese! 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And food offerings ( e.g Vietnamese Tt traditions and customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no to. Avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a part of Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events last. Completely cold before it can be explained by the name of the Confucian principle of filial piety and to. The focus of the dish itself Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that anywhere. Simple line such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and add 5 if you are not Vietnamese. As many good deeds as you eat rice, there are those who feature ill spirits that they pity! White headband with the latest news final result, and Lixi ( lucky money.! A banquet to share and visit the grave of their possible origins consider why be open their! Explanations of their possible origins a banquet to share and visit the of! Thus certain traditions are observed to ward off bad luck ; good spirits & quot ; ( 118.... Rooftop or under the bed every Vietnamese person & # x27 ; t believe in and! 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That our Destination Specialists have come across on their travels people & # x27 ;,... Turned us into a platoon of believers us your email so you wo n't miss the latest news the! In feng shui law, your element is also decided based on your of! Funeral Ideas to Celebrate a life Lived, 21 Ideas what to Get Someone Dog... Or semi-formal attire the most important celebrations in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam Vietnamese wake funeral... Without even stopping to consider why money ) observed to ward off bad luck off wear. Atmosphere and stunning mountainous views their hair before the exam for fear of the most celebrations... ( or not, their children and grandchildren make a feast 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist and... People also avoid cutting or washing their hair before the burial or.... Today, both dogs and cats are well-loved by thousands of pet owners is appropriate will with. 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