What is Vietnam Ghost Month?
A human being, according to Vietnamese belief, is made up of two parts: the soul and the body. When a person dies, their spirit lives on in the afterlife. If the individual accomplished a lot of good, they would be reincarnated as a human or a saint. Otherwise, their spirits would be cast into hell and tortured and starved as punishment for their crimes.
During Vietnam Ghost Month, the spirits of the dead are allowed to roam the living world because Pluto, the King of the Underworld regions, unlocks the portal between the two worlds. This notion is held in high regard across East Asia, notably Vietnam, and has resulted in numerous rituals and taboos.
Vietnam, like the rest of East Asia, believes that Hungry Ghost Month might bring bad luck due to the curses of roaming lost souls. On the other side, it is also known as a time when the living forgives the most sinful deceased. This notion is primarily derived from Taoist and Buddhist thinking.
The Gates of Hell are unlocked on the second day of the Vietnam Ghost Month, allowing ghosts to enter the present. From the gifts and prayers of their descendants, ancestors' spirits could be traced back to their place of origin. However, there are no offerings for lonely spirits who have no living family members or who passed away without a proper funeral. When they are allowed to freely roam the living world, they angrily curse bad luck upon strangers in a spiteful manner.
