As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, the Vietnamese tradition of worshiping the Kitchen Gods (Ông Công Ông Táo) is observed to bid them farewell as they ascend to heaven to report the year's events to the Jade Emperor.

This longstanding custom, typically performed on the 23rd day of the last lunar month, involves offering a well-prepared feast, complete with a carp, the sacred vehicle for the Kitchen Gods' journey.

According to the lunar calendar, the 2025 Kitchen Gods ceremony falls on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. For families unable to conduct the ritual on this day, offerings may be made earlier, between the 19th and 23rd days of the last lunar month.

Selecting the right day and time for blessings

Feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha emphasizes the importance of choosing an auspicious date and time for the ceremony, as it is believed to influence a family’s fortune and well-being in the coming year.

Here are the recommended dates and times for Kitchen Gods worship in 2025:

January 18, 2025 (19th day of the lunar month): Conduct the ritual between 7:10 AM and 8:50 AM. This day is favorable for individuals born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Tiger, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat.

January 19, 2025 (20th day of the lunar month): Conduct the ritual between 5:10 AM and 6:50 AM. This day benefits those born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat.

January 20, 2025 (21st day of the lunar month): Conduct the ritual between 7:10 AM and 8:50 AM. Suitable for individuals born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Tiger, Monkey, Snake, and Pig.

January 21, 2025 (22nd day of the lunar month): Conduct the ritual between 7:10 AM and 8:50 AM. Auspicious for those born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat.

January 22, 2025 (23rd day of the lunar month): Conduct the ritual between 5:10 AM and 6:50 AM. Best suited for individuals born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat.

After the Kitchen Gods ceremony, families traditionally clean and decorate their homes, prepare festive dishes, and gather to welcome the Lunar New Year with hope and joy.

Ngoc Lai