People burn votive papers at Ba Chua Kho Temple in Bac Ninh Province
Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Standing Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam's Executive Council, has sent an official document to the Buddhist Sangha of all provinces and cities to ban people from burning votive paper offerings at pagodas and temples and other activities that are "superstitious and not in accordance with Vietnam's traditions and Buddhist culture."
The document states that in their speeches, the monks should also instruct how to maintain traditional customs, live in harmony with different religions and celebrate traditional festivals in a civilised and economic way.
Votive papers for sale. Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam wants to ban burning ritual at pagodas
In recent years, many people have raised concerns over the rampant burning of votive paper offerings at temples and pagodas. According to the experts, the customs has been wrongly exploited and used as people spent millions on paper houses, iPhones and cars just to burn them later and left the rubbish littering the streets. In some cases, burning votive offerings carelessly when visiting families' graves have caused wildfires.
Last year, the government issued Resolution 28 which states that burning incenses and offerings incorrectly will be fined from VND200,000 (USD8.83) to VND500,000.
However, the regulation was flaunted. On February 20, a fire broke out at Mau Temple in Dong Dang Town, Lang Son Province. It is suspected that while burning the votive offerings, the fire spread to the votive offering shops nearby.
Hue City alone has 226 workshops producing votive paper items, creating jobs for 356 workers with an annual revenue of VND60bn (USD2.65m). However, the practice costs the country billions of Vietnamese dong every year.