The Kitchen God or Ong Tao ritual signals the start of preparations for Tết.
This celebration marks the day when the three kitchen gods, the advocates of the family, travel on the back of a fish to the Jade Emperor, the King of Heaven.
This celebration marks the day when the three kitchen gods, the advocates of the family, travel on the back of a fish to the Jade Emperor, the King of Heaven.
The kitchen gods then report to the Jade Emperor on the good and the bad of the family and will then bring back good fortune for the family on the eve of Tet. At the event, lecturer - Professor Le Van Lan, noted author, historian, archeologist and television celebrity will first explain the origins and rituals of Tet to attendees who will then participate in sending the three kitchen gods, a new set of clothes (made of paper) which will be burnt as an offering to Ong Tao.
After the offering of new clothes, participants can then release theirown live fish to carry their family’s report into West Lake, which leads to the Red river, which leads to the ocean and then to the Jade Emperor.
