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US ambassador celebrates Kitchen Gods’ Day in Hanoi
  • By Khanh Tran-Trong Trinh | dtinews.vn | January 18, 2017 05:13 PM
The US ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, released carp fish at West Lake in Hanoi and visited a flower market on Wednesday.


The release of carp fish is a ritual to celebrate the Kitchen Gods’ Day which is on the 23rd day of the last lunar month in Vietnam. On this day, families across Vietnam bid farewell to the Gods of the Kitchen, thanking them for watching over their house for another year. The Kitchen Gods begin their trip to visit the Jade Emperor. Many believe the release of the strong and fast carp into local ponds, rivers and lakes can help transport the Kitchen Gods to heaven.

US ambassador Ted Osius brought a small basin with three fish inside to release to the West Lake on Wednesday morning.


This is the third consecutive year he has performed the tradition.

“I follow Vietnamese people to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods who are believed to bring luck and protect the family," he said. "Releasing the carp means to assist their journey and also means to wish for a happy new year to come."

After releasing the carp, he went to Quang An Flower Market and bought a peach branch. He talked with local people in Vietnamese.



Osius said that he will spend some time during in the holiday in Hanoi with his family and then go on a short trip. 

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