Kitchen Gods day on the 23rd of the twelfth month: the story, offerings and dates
On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, many Vietnamese families see off the Kitchen Gods. The story behind it, the offerings sources agree on and the next three dates.
A week before Lunar New Year, on the 23rd of the twelfth month, many Vietnamese families hold the offering for ông Công ông Táo, also called seeing off the Kitchen Gods (Táo quân).
When it falls
The Kitchen Gods day is the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month (tháng Chạp). The next three dates, in Vietnam time:
| Lunar year | Lunar date | Solar date |
|---|---|---|
| Bính Ngọ | 23/12 | Saturday, 30 January 2027 |
| Đinh Mùi | 23/12 | Wednesday, 19 January 2028 |
| Mậu Thân | 23/12 | Tuesday, 6 February 2029 |
Six days later (seven when the twelfth month has 30 days) comes New Year’s Eve.
The story of the Kitchen Gods
In Vietnamese folk belief, on the 23rd of the twelfth month the Kitchen Gods go up to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor on what happened in the household during the year. The family holds a send-off and hopes for a calm new year.
The story says the Kitchen Gods ride a carp to heaven. That is why carp are an essential part of this offering.
Common customs
- Families hold an offering to see the Kitchen Gods off.
- Afterwards, many release the carp into a pond or lake.
When releasing fish, choose clean water, let them go gently, and do not throw the plastic bag into the water.
Common offerings
The items the sources agree on:
- Carp.
- Kitchen God hats and robes: three sets, two for the gods and one for the goddess.
- Betel and areca and fruit.
Beyond this, each family and region adds its own dishes. The sources do not agree on these, so this post does not list them.
Festivals in Qelunai
The month view in Qelunai shows the lunar date and solar term of every day, worked out in Vietnam time right on your phone. In the next update, the calendar will mark traditional festivals, with a Festival section in Day details and an optional reminder one day before (off by default). To look up the lunar date of any day, use the Lunar calendar page.
Sources
Articles are cultural reference, not professional advice. Illustrations drawn by AI.