[jackbl]

Offerings for “Kitchen God”
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VietNamNet Bridge - On December 23rd of the Lunar Calendar (which falls on January 18 this year), Vietnamese families arebusy preparing rituals and votive paper for the Kitchen God (Tao Quan) to ascend to Heaven.

The shops that sell votive objects and other items of worship in Hang Ma, Luong Van Can, Hang Bong and Hang Dao streets are crowded. The best-selling goods include money, cars, motorbikes, and villas made of paper.

The sellers in these streets say there’s nothing different from last year except that the prices have increased by 10-15 percent. A set of three hats, three sets of clothes and three pairs of shoes are priced at about VND25,000-50,000. Other commodities such as cars, motorbikes, and electric cookers, can cost up to VND1 million.

As well as paper carp, many families buy real fish in the hope of helping the Kitchen God to return to Heaven. Many shops offer yellow and red Japanese carp; two red carp with scales are priced at VND20,000-25,000. Japanese carp with silver-colour scales sell for VND80,000-100,000.