Check out our, This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . The following guide outlines everything you need to know about Vietnamese funeral traditions. 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. This idea results in a Vietnam superstition which is burning a bamboo spill (a piece of paper) to drive ill spirits away. 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. . Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. Reasons? It is during this time that they share food and toast to celebrate the deceaseds life. Find more hotels to stay in Vietnam below: Ho Chi Minh Private Tours:Saigon Shore ExcursionsMotorbike City ToursSaigon Food Tours, i Tour Vietnam - Private Tours Ltd. Outside Vietnam +84 986188801Inside Vietnam 0986188801 (English)info@itourvn.com. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during. 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. Due to this, expectant mums are encouraged to avoid funerals as they risk putting an omen on the grieving. What Do You Wear to a Vietnamese Funeral? Except for blood, probably. 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. Their origins may surprise you. Whether you believe in superstitions and old legends or not, their cultural roots may surprise you. If a dragonfly bites your belly button, you learn how to swim, Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. The Vietnamese hold special dinners to commemorate the 49 th and 100 th days of mourning as well as the first anniversary of their beloved family members' deaths. The oldest grandchild or child is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased along the way. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. There are some zodiac signs that will be on good terms with one another (usually a group of three zodiacs), while others will be conflicted with one another. People hope for a better upcoming year when Tet arrives. These somewhat uncustomary views or actions arise from cultural beliefs, with some including: Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. Phm Cng Sn, (1996) a Vietnamese anthropologist, said, "Death is not the end but is the final stage of one life to be transformed into another." He also asserted that death rituals provide the bereaved with a chance to fulfill their filial obligations to the deceased. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. Quite silly, actually. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide, 9. The event joins generations together in a commitment that extends beyond death. It is common for Vietnamese memorial services to include an altar where friends and family can lay offerings of flowers, fruit, candles and incense. This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . Compared to the western practice of one funeral mass, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in meaning wealth, prosperity. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. Relatives . . Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. 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). Those are for good luck. Breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad luck. Building a bathroom behind the main door is also unwise, not only will it create bad fortunes for homeowners, but it is also believed to cause health issues related to kidney, stomach, memory loss or even fertility problems. 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. The first customer of the day will determine whether it is a good or bad day for business. In Japan and Korea, for instance, the word for the 4 and the word for death are . 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. Learn more about how incense is made. Everyone should be on their best behavior during Tet towards neighbors, friends and family. The belief that souls of the deceased live on after death and a funeral is critical to entering the afterlife. Superstition has been known to determine the conduct of the war in this ravaged country. This is due to a range of beliefs such as the risk of the deceaseds spirit entering the baby, or the mourning causing the child to be a crier following birth. Pass Under the Casket. Vietnamese superstitions to know You've probably heard sayings such as "13 is an unlucky number" or "don't walk under a ladder or you'll face bad luck" before. This is one of the popular Vietnamese superstitions New Year. , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among . The first stage, "Nhap Quan" (entering the coffin), consists of the dead body being cleaned with alcohol or water ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. The biggest festival of the year in Vietnam. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Vietnamese funeral costume is white clothes with white headband. Keeping an eye on what or who enters the house is also just as important. One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. In addition, Vietnamese pregnant women avoid squatting in fear of dropping out the little kid or being in a mood since they dont want their newborn child to have a sorrowful face. Many people are carried to the hospital if they are sick. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Get ready to party! As a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in use. The belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. Interment of the deceased will follow at the site of burial. These papers are known as "votive papers . The following are some examples: After a death, windows were closed so the deceased's soul could not fly out. There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. Children wearing hats indoors will not grow tall, Every parent wants their child to grow up strong and tall, and thus many tell their. We're not kidding. Here the Vietnamese superstitions that I love and know: 1. . Customers buying a lot is considered a good sign and vice versa. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. Learn more about, 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. The first person who enters the house on the first day of Vietnamese New Year can bring good or bad luck to that household. Displays of wealth are not appropriate during the funeral. Flowers, money, or food are commonly shared with grieving families. To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. I'll just list a few. 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. 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! Those other items used to be just clothes, hats, jewelry, cars, houses, etc., but now there are also modern and fashionable votives such as iPhones, computers, etc. 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. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. Some people also avoid cutting or washing their hair before the exam for fear of washing all their knowledge away. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. calculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. You shouldnt place any mirror opposite to the entrance because after a long day of working, seeing a shadow or reflection in the mirror as the first thing when you come home can create paranoia which can negatively affect homeowners mental health or make them suffer from nightmares, especially if you are a woman. Read more here. The superstition about the casket proves that while family members are honored and taken care of even after death a highly important concept in Vietnamese culture it is also necessary to watch the casket and guard the deceased for the living s sake. We participate in affiliate programs that allow us to earn a commission at no cost to you. 4. When the platoon was in the jungle, Tim O'brien talked about the following regarding the platoon. 2). In death, the physical body disappears, and from it comes a spirit." "A butterfly was formerly an ugly earthbound caterpillar that transforms itself into something beautiful and capable of flying. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. However, a house, a building is such a valuable property that can be taken as granted. 30. i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides. Here are 13 Thai superstitions that locals are familiar with - some of you might even be guilty of using it to scare little kids! It is used as a lucky color for wrapping gifts, including red envelopes. According to the law of feng shui, the door is a gateway for luck or misfortune to your home. "It turned us into a platoon of believers. Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck . The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. There are no unique expectations of conduct at a Vietnamese wake and funeral. Nowadays, though, a lot of dentists are recommending that these baby teeth are preserved. The death is just one thing that occurs for a person to be reborn somewhere else. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. In the past, a Vietnamese funeral could last up to a month or more. While it is common practice to give money in an envelope to assist with funeral costs, it is not mandatory to do so. Vietnamese funerals have complex rituals, to say the least: gold coins and rice in the deceased person's mouth, finger and toe nails clipped and packaged, and, weirdest of all, a vigilant guard for the coffin so that cats and dogs don't jump over the body and bring the deceased back to life. O'brien shows how American soldiers order their experience by superstition rather than by rationality. First of all, we do not fill our bowl to the brim with only one big scoop of rice, and it is also frowned upon to plunge chopsticks straight down into the rice bowl. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). The following are some popular superstitions in Vietnam that can amaze you. In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. If you hear the hoot of an owl, it's certain death. 2. Every culture has its superstitions. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. This idea results in a. 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. Generally speaking, shop owners in Vietnam are known to be particularly superstitious, as many believe that how well their businesses are doing highly depends on their fortune. They are even concerned with who should first set foot in their house on . Like most other Eastern countries, Vietnam also has its own beliefs, culture, and religions, which have been formed and developed over the centuries. AboutContactPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions. Vietnamese Superstitions. 219 Kallang Bahru, #04-00 Chutex Building, Singapore 339348, The opinions expressed by our users do not reflect the official position of TheSmartLocal.com or its staff. Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three days or more. 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). During visitation, menstruating women should not light incense as it is considered to be bad luck. According to Staticia, 14.9% of the population are practicing Buddhists while 7.3% are Roman Catholic. Burning ghost money is a popular superstitions in Vietnam - Source: phunuvietnam.vn. Check out our Vietnam travel guide or our private tours if you wish to learn more about the traditions and customs of Vietnam. 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. Older Vietnamese people may prefer to be at home at the end of life with . 9:00-11:00 p.m.: Owls are bad omens. The word for the number 4 sounds much like the word for death. People, especially the female, will go to fortune-tellers (thay boi) and see their, Vietnamese Superstitions - Remedies for Bad Luck and Changing One's Fortune, 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. However, the owner can change that by changing the arrangement of their home and surrounding environment according to feng shui to harness lucky energy. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. People, especially the female, will go to fortune-tellers (thay boi) and see their luck in the relationship with family members, love life, and work or business progress in the next year. Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. This does not impact our reviews as our values are to remain objective. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. Vietnamese people think that it is a lucky . The sellers often do this when a customer comes and leaves without buying anything first thing in the morning as they believe the customer has brought bad spirits to the shop. You can see more of these irrational beliefs inchopsticks-using manners and gift-giving etiquettes in Vietnam. So there is no wonder why Vietnamese practice a lot of these superstitions in order to make sure that the transition from the old to the new year happens as smoothly as possible. 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. Family members will wash and prepare the body before dressing the deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire. The word lon in Vietnamese means to reverse, so you should only eat a balut to reverse your bad luck and not when you are lucky. The number four gets its bad name because it sounds like "death" in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai. The number 9. A possible explanation for this belief is that the barking of dogs is often interpreted as gu gu in Vietnamese, which sounds similar to giu giu, where giu means rich. Here we focus on the largest two congregations and their funeral rites. There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. 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. to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. Check here for more exotic Vietnamese dishes. In Vietnam, it is common for the deceased to remain at home after their death until the funeral. Some people just see them as things to remember in life, but there are people who follow them as if they were the ultimate law of the universe. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. With many years of experience, she shares about the "range" of Vietnamese . In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. 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. But for Ian Rose the hairy mole is a lucky . That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. 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. 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. 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! There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. However, you are best placed to avoid red flowers as this color is reserved for happy occasions such as the new year. Many also choose to arrange the display as a wreath so that it can be draped over the coffin. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. 1. For example, thefishermen 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. Couples going to Lt together will break up. The Vietnamese strongly believe that a person should die at home and be surrounded by his family. Gesture University of California Irvine. According to Vietnamese superstitions, whenever you seem to have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit. This is one of the very few Vietnamese superstitions which can pose a threat to the environment. The same is true for many other Asian cultures, which share a number of linguistic similarities. In Vietnam, reading. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should be placed under the bed. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. 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. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. 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. 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. Especially red envelope money. That said, as with all other superstitions, there is no scientific evidence for it, so dont let it stop you from capturing shots of memorable moments with your squad. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. 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 . You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. 1. Family members hold constant vigil over the body. Burning incense is a way to respect the gods and the deceased relatives. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. One of the taboos that people abstain from is sweeping their houses or taking out the trash on the first day of the lunar new year. 1:00-3:00 p.m.: You'll be safe and sound for whatever plans lie ahead of you. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Lots of eating and drinking lies ahead. However, it is a custom of the country that people dont clean their homes during the time because sweeping dirt means throwing away fortune. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living Vietnamese believe a person's soul wanders after death. Money. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese culture; this is because it sounds like the . This represents the belief that the body will one day return to the earth in line with the cycle of life. I don't believe in this superstition. 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. 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. . My mothers younger sister, Thuy, told me about these superstitions while I was helping her prepare the food in the kitchen for our familys big Vietnamese New Year celebration at my grandmothers house. While much of the culture is past-oriented, these superstitions mostly focus on preparations for the future to ensure that it is a successful and bright one. 1. 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. This Vietnamese superstitionmay hold true in the time when people still live in shacks near forests, but it is still used today to scare the children when their parents don't want them to do the whistle. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. It is believed that by doing so, youd sweep out the good luck that the new year brings. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . In fact, some people prefer having cats as they dont need as much attention as dogs, making them perfect for the busy lives were now leading. Kate is a qualified psychologist (M.A. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. The reason for this tradition can be explained by the name of the dish itself. And when things are not going well, t va, also called t phong long is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. By the time a boy is old enough to marry, for example, he may not be able to wed the girl he loves because she was born in the wrong year. Perhaps its because the city has a melancholic vibe to it that makes people think of sadness, or perhaps because there are many supposedly haunted places around associated with tragic love stories and ghosts of young girls betrayed by their lovers who dont want anyone else to be happy. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. 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. Vietnamese superstitions, meanwhile, are vast and deeply embedded in people's psyche. Reasons? Very superstitious. While there are many superstitions in Vietnam about what can bring people bad luck like breaking a mirror and seeing a crow or black cat, Vietnamese have an arsenal of ways to get rid of misfortune as well. 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. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. She used to cook for 21 heads of state at APEC Danang 2017 and was introduced by famous chef Anthony Bourdain on CNN. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. Generally, Vietnamese good luck symbols are of Chinese origin. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. White and black clothing are associated with death and grieving, so people will opt for colorful clothes befitting of celebration. Vietnamese usually offer foods and burn ghost money and votive items like houses, clothes, and cars for the death so that they can eat, spend, use and continue their afterlife in another world. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! 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. Ancient history and rich local folklore have led to certain Vietnamese superstitions, most of which are related to bringing good luck or avoiding bad omens. Of one funeral mass, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased will be cremated then! Of you Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families upper jaw be... Some believe it is used as a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in.. As this color is reserved for happy occasions such as the New,... So they follow the tradition of inhumation upcoming year when tet arrives pity. Meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas,! Just one thing that occurs for a better upcoming year when tet arrives critical to the. 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