Hang Ma street bustling during ‘ghost month’

Ram Thang Bay in Vietnamese, also known as the Ghost Festival or Ullambana Festival (Vu Lan), is a traditional Buddhist festival which occurs on the 14th to 15th days of the seventh month in lunar calendar.

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It is widely considered to be an occasion which gives thanks to and praises parents and ancestors, as well as offering people the chance to embrace the “wandering souls”, in other words, the “forsaken spirits”.

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Ram Thang Bay is viewed as a taboo time, according to the long-lasting traditional beliefs held among Vietnamese people that the gates of hell open from the first to 14th, meaning that hungry spirits are free for a short time before returning to the fiery depths on the 15th.

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Due to these beliefs, Buddhist followers and Vietnamese families often offer vegetarian meals, including congee, salt, and rice, among other items, and burn votive personal belongings and money to feed the destitute spirits or to help wandering souls find their way back home.

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The month is when the majority of burning of votive takes place. Popular offerings among locals includes clothes, jewelry, and smartphones which can be found on sale on the pavements of Hang Ma street.

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There is a diverse range of clothes on offer for customers to purchase.

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Each item of votive clothing costs between VND35,000 and VND80,000.

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Luxury votive objects such as houses and cars also prove to be popular this year.

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Meanwhile, a votive villa is sold at a price of VND150,000 to VND250,000.

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Luxury bags and smartphones are possibly the most popular item among customers.

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The owner of a votive store on Hang Ma street says that the number of consumption products has increased significantly compared to two previous years when the nation was struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Hang Ma street bustling during ‘ghost month’

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