On the morning of February 10, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, hundreds of people gathered at Dieu Phap Pagoda in Binh Loi Trung Ward and along the Saigon River to perform the traditional ceremony of releasing carp to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods.
Many chose to hire small boats to reach the middle of the river, believing this would help the fish avoid pollution, water hyacinths and the risk of being recaptured.
Lan, a local resident taking part in the ritual, said her family regularly releases fish on full moon days and major holidays. “Today I bought large carp, hoping they will produce many offspring and bring good fortune,” she said. To ensure the fish were released safely, she hired a boat for VND 100,000 (USD 4).
Nguyen Trong Hieu, 52, also hired a boat to release carp in deeper water. He said the riverbanks were heavily clogged with rubbish and vegetation.
“This is my first time releasing fish in the middle of the Saigon River for the Kitchen Gods,” he said.
In Vietnamese folk belief, carp transform into dragons on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, carrying the Kitchen Gods to heaven to report the household’s affairs to the Jade Emperor. For this reason, families typically release an odd number of carp, such as one, three or five.
Alongside carp, residents also released other species of fish, while bird release was another popular ritual symbolising peace and good fortune.
Thanh Hung, who released birds at the pagoda, said he hoped they would “fly far away, carrying faith and hope for a new beginning”.
Many Buddhists brought fish to Dieu Phap Pagoda for a blessing ceremony before releasing them into the river. By midday, the pagoda and surrounding riverbanks were crowded with worshippers.
The custom of releasing animals remains an important Vietnamese tradition, reflecting both spiritual beliefs and a desire to perform good deeds in the hope of a peaceful and prosperous new year.