Introduction
This year, Hungry Ghost Month (Tháng Cô Hồn) reaches its peak on Saturday, September 6, 2025 (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month –Rằm Tháng Bảy). On this night, Vietnamese families observe both the Festival of Wandering Souls (Lễ Xá Tội Vong Nhân)—a time to honour and appease restless spirits—and Lễ Vu Lan, also known as the Filial Piety Festival, dedicated to showing gratitude to parents and ancestors. These two traditions intertwine: while one seeks to bring peace to forgotten or hungry ghosts, the other strengthens bonds of remembrance and duty within the family. Together, they reflect Vietnam’s deep respect for the living and the dead, and the importance of harmony between the two worlds.
Seven Taboos During Hungry Ghost Month
During this period, it is believed that the gates of the underworld open, allowing wandering spirits to roam freely. To avoid misfortune or attracting unwanted attention, people observe a number of taboos:
1. Don’t take photos at night (especially in cemeteries or dark places)
Spirits may appear in your photos—or worse, follow you home. Photography at night is considered an invitation to the unseen.
2. Don’t swim or go near rivers, lakes, or the sea at night
Water is thought to be a dwelling place for restless souls. The ghosts of those who drowned may try to pull the living into the water to take their place.
3. Don’t whistle, sing, or call out names after dark
Sounds at night are believed to attract wandering spirits. Calling out a person’s name may confuse spirits, who could respond or attach themselves to you.
4. Don’t pick up money, jewelry, or offerings left on the street
These offerings are meant for the spirits. Taking them is considered stealing from the dead, which can bring misfortune or curses.
5. Don’t wear flashy or all-black clothes at night
Bright red or very flashy clothing can draw the attention of wandering souls, while all-black attire makes you blend into the spirit world, increasing the risk of being followed.
6. Don’t stay out too late at night
Nighttime is when spirits are most active. Being out late increases the chance of crossing paths with them or bringing negative energy back home.
7. Don’t start major ventures (marriages, buying houses, launching businesses)
The seventh lunar month is seen as inauspicious for new beginnings. Ghostly interference is believed to bring obstacles, so people often wait until after the month to make important decisions.
Balancing Respect and Protection
To counterbalance these taboos, Vietnamese families prepare offerings, burn joss paper, release animals such as fish or birds, and pray for both ancestors and wandering spirits. These rituals bring peace to forgotten souls while reinforcing filial devotion.
Ultimately, Hungry Ghost Month is not only about fear of the unseen but also about compassion and remembrance. The dual observances of Lễ Vu Lan and the Festival of Wandering Souls remind people to honor their parents, protect their families, and care for the spirits who have no one else to remember them.
Further Reading on Inoriza.org
Lễ Vu Lan (Filial Piety ceremony)
Spirits and Ghosts in Vietnam: Unravelling the Legacy of Belief and Protection