In Điện Biên Phủ ward, the atmosphere in residential areas and traditional markets becomes vibrant and bustling from the early morning. Residents are busy shopping for offerings, cleaning their houses, and preparing worship trays with the hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

According to folk beliefs, the Kitchen Gods consist of three deities who govern the kitchen, maintain family order, and record the good and bad deeds of each household. Consequently, this ritual is not just a spiritual ceremony but also an opportunity for each family to look back at the past year and send their wishes for harmony and luck in the coming year. Reports from local markets show that shopping volume has increased sharply, with stalls selling red carps, joss paper, paper clothing for the deities, and flowers appearing in high density. This year, the price of carps for the ceremony fluctuates between VND 15,000 and 25,000 for three fish, depending on their size.

Alongside shopping for offerings, many families take the opportunity to tidy their kitchens and altars, rearranging their living spaces based on the concept of a “warm kitchen and a peaceful house.” As has been her custom for many years, Trần Thị Hợi, a resident of Residential Group 3 in Điện Biên Phủ ward, prepares her offerings early. Her tray is fully arranged with incense, flowers, water, betel and areca, a traditional meal, joss paper, and live carps. She shares that her family always prepares the ceremony meticulously to preserve this beautiful tradition for her children and grandchildren. To her, the ritual is an occasion for the whole family to gather and prepare for the upcoming Tết days. She always teaches her grandchildren that the ceremony should be performed with sincerity; it does not require an extravagant feast but must be neat and cozy.

At the release points along the Nậm Rốm river, many families bring their carps to set them free after completing the ritual. Notably, residents have become more conscious of environmental protection by collecting their plastic bags instead of discarding them into the river. Đinh Thị Hương, from Residential Group 23, mentioned that despite the year-end busyness, her family maintains the habit of worshiping the Kitchen Gods. After lighting the incense, she takes her children to release the fish so they can better understand traditional customs. She also reminds them not to throw plastic bags into the river to keep the environment clean and beautiful.

Traditionally, the ceremony is held on the 23rd day of the 12th Lunar Month, though some families may perform it as early as the 21st or 22nd. Popular time slots chosen by many include the hours of Mão, Thìn, Tỵ, or Ngọ, with Tỵ and Ngọ being considered particularly favorable according to folk wisdom. Even with the pace of modern life, while the organization of the ritual may have become more flexible, the core values are still strictly preserved by people of Điện Biên province.

It is not only a beautiful religious practice but also a thread that connects generations within the family, reminding everyone of the morality, order, and traditional cultural values that blossom every spring.