When is Ghost Month?
Ghost Month falls during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which does not align with the Gregorian calendar. As a result, its dates vary each year. Traditionally, the most significant day of Ghost Month is the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, known as the Ghost Festival.
Below are the dates for Ghost Month in the upcoming years, based on the Gregorian calendar:
- 2025: August 1 – August 30
- 2026: August 20 – September 18
- 2027: August 9 – September 7
- 2028: July 28 – August 26
- 2029: August 16 – September 14
What is Ghost Month?
Ghost Month, also known as the seventh lunar month, is a deeply spiritual time in Vietnam. It is believed that during this period, the gates of the spirit world open, allowing ghosts and spirits to roam freely among the living. These spirits include both ancestors, who are honored and respected, and wandering souls, who are thought to be lost or without family to care for them.
In Vietnamese culture, Ghost Month is a time to pay homage to ancestors and ensure harmony with the spiritual world. Families prepare offerings, light incense, and hold ceremonies to honor their ancestors and help wandering spirits find peace. It’s also a time of reflection, kindness, and charity, as acts of generosity are believed to bring good fortune and protect against misfortune.
Global connection
Similar beliefs and traditions can be found in other cultures. For instance, China’s Hungry Ghost Festival shares many parallels, as do similar observances in other parts of Asia, emphasizing the universal theme of honoring the departed and maintaining balance between the living and the spirit world.
Origins and History
Buddhist and Taoist Roots
The origins of Ghost Month are deeply intertwined with Buddhist teachings, particularly the story of Maudgalyayana (Mục Kiền Liên). According to legend, Maudgalyayana, one of Buddha’s chief disciples, discovered that his deceased mother was suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts due to her earthly greed. In an effort to relieve her suffering, he sought Buddha’s guidance and was instructed to make offerings to monks on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. This act of compassion not only liberated his mother’s soul but also inspired the practice of honoring and aiding wandering spirits.
Taoist traditions have also influenced Ghost Month, particularly the belief in appeasing restless spirits to avoid bad luck. These ideas emphasize the importance of harmony between the living and the spiritual world, a concept deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture.
Integration with Vietnamese Folk Religion
In Vietnam, Ghost Month has merged with local folk beliefs, creating unique customs and practices. Folk religion, which centers on ancestor worship and the veneration of spirits, has shaped how Ghost Month is observed. Families honor their ancestors through offerings and rituals while extending these acts of care to wandering spirits, reflecting the Vietnamese values of generosity and respect.
This blend of Buddhist, Taoist, and indigenous practices makes Ghost Month a uniquely Vietnamese tradition, rich with spiritual significance and cultural meaning.
Ghost month traditions and practices
1. Offerings
During Ghost Month, one of the most essential practices is making offerings to honor ancestors and appease wandering spirits. Families prepare elaborate trays of food, fruits, and drinks, along with incense and symbolic joss paper items. These paper offerings, often resembling money, clothing, or luxury goods, are burned as a way to provide for spirits in the afterlife. The belief is that these offerings bring comfort to ancestors and help wandering spirits avoid causing mischief in the living world.
2. Ceremonies
Both private and public ceremonies are a hallmark of Ghost Month in Vietnam. Families hold rituals at home, often centered around ancestral altars, where they invite spirits to partake in the offerings. Temples and shrines also organize larger communal ceremonies, allowing participants to pay respects and pray for blessings. Monks and spiritual leaders may perform chanting sessions to guide spirits and bring peace to families. These gatherings reflect a collective spirit of reverence and compassion.
3. Taboos
Ghost Month is also marked by several taboos aimed at avoiding misfortune:
- Avoid swimming: It’s believed that spirits may dwell in water, making it unsafe during this time.
- Limit night travel: Wandering spirits are thought to be more active at night, so people often avoid being out late.
- Postpone major life events: Starting a new business, getting married, or moving into a new home are often delayed until after Ghost Month to avoid bad luck.
Experiencing Ghost Month in Vietnam
Ghost Month is a deeply spiritual period in Vietnam, observed through a variety of customs and practices that offer unique cultural insights. While many rituals occur privately at home, there are several ways travelers can experience and appreciate this tradition. Here’s how Ghost Month is practiced and how you can explore it as a visitor.
Home Rituals and street offerings
During Ghost Month, most observances take place privately at home, with families preparing offerings on their altars for ancestors. These altars often feature incense, food, and symbolic items for spirits.
What travelers are more likely to notice are street burnings, where families burn joss paper offerings on sidewalks or in front of homes. These symbolic items represent money or goods for spirits in the afterlife.
- Traveler Tip: While you won’t see much of the private rituals, the street burnings are a fascinating glimpse into Ghost Month traditions. Observe respectfully and avoid stepping near these sacred activities.
Temples and Pagodas
Temples are central to Ghost Month observances, where both private and communal ceremonies take place. Notable sites like Giac Lam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, and other Buddhist temples across Vietnam often host rituals and prayers during this period.
- Traveler Tip: Visit temples to witness offerings, chanting, and the burning of incense. Dress modestly and avoid interrupting ceremonies.
Weather during ghost Month
Ghost Month usually falls in August or September, coinciding with Vietnam’s rainy season.
- North Vietnam: Expect warm temperatures and occasional rain.
- Central Vietnam: Heavy rainfall, especially in areas like Da Nang and Hue.
- South Vietnam: Hot and humid with sudden downpours.
Ghost Month vs. Western Halloween
While both Ghost Month and Halloween revolve around spirits, their purposes and cultural significance are vastly different.
Ghost Month in Vietnam is deeply spiritual, focusing on honoring ancestors, appeasing wandering spirits, and fostering familial connections through offerings and rituals. It’s a time of reverence and cultural tradition, tied closely to Buddhist and folk beliefs.
In contrast, Halloween in Western cultures is a more secular celebration, centered on costumes, parties, and fun activities like trick-or-treating. Its origins are rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, but it has evolved into a lighthearted holiday focused on entertainment rather than spirituality.
