On the 15th day of the seventh month in the Lunar Calendar Vietnamese people celebrated Vu Lan festival – also known as Parents' Day and Xa Toi Vong Nhan festival or Wandering Soul's Day.
Vu Lan festival is widely celebrated among businesses, families, and other institutions throughout the country. Vietnamese people believe that the souls of the dead can come back to their home and gather with family on that day. That's why it is considered an occasion for family to gather and express love and gratitude to ancestors and parents.On this day, people prepare various delicious dishes, offer incense and invite ancestors to come back home and celebrate the festival with the family. Vegetarian food is most popular on this day. In addition, people visit pagodas and temples to pray for their parents and release animals such as birds or fish.
Xa Toi Vong Nhan festival is the day for wandering souls. People often set a tray filled with food such as soup, sweet potatoes, corn, candies and more in front of the house.They also offer incense and pray for homeless souls to rest in peace. This festival often takes place in the daytime. People avoid celebrating in the evening because the gate of the afterlife closes at this time.
