7 Foods to Avoid Eating or Offering During the Seventh Lunar Month

The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is observed as the Vu Lan festival, also known as Tet Trung Nguyen. This day also coincides with the Hungry Ghost Festival, or “Xa Toi Vong Nhan” in Vietnamese. While they occur simultaneously, it is important to distinguish that the Vu Lan festival is a time for descendants to pay respect to their ancestors and the deceased, whereas the Hungry Ghost Festival involves making offerings to wandering souls without living relatives.

According to folk beliefs, on this day, the King of Hell opens the gates of the underworld, allowing hungry ghosts and wild ghosts to return to the mortal world. Thus, people are advised to abstain from certain foods or make offerings on this day, as consuming them may bring bad luck.

**White Porridge:**
White porridge tops the list of foods to avoid or offer during the festival. One may wonder why such a simple dish is to be refrained from. In Vietnamese folk beliefs, white porridge is typically offered to hungry ghosts during the festival. Therefore, eating white porridge on this day may be interpreted as competing with the ghosts for food, potentially leading to misfortune.

**Squid:**
Squid, a popular seafood delicacy known for its sweet and crispy meat, is surprisingly on the list of foods to avoid during the first day of the lunar month, Tet, or the 15th of July in the lunar calendar.

The phrase “black as squid” is commonly used, and thus, people refrain from eating squid during these occasions to ward off bad luck. However, this belief is not universally held, and in coastal areas where seafood is a staple, squid is still consumed during festivals.

**Dog Meat:**
Similar to squid, dog meat is a beloved dish by many. Some even believe that consuming dog meat at the end of the month can bring good luck. However, in folk beliefs, dog meat is not encouraged during the first day of the month, the “Hungry Ghost Month,” or traditional New Year celebrations. Eating dog meat during these times is thought to bring misfortune.

**Carp:**
Carp is another fish that many people refrain from eating during the first day of the month or the Lunar New Year. It is believed that carp has a strong odor, and the word “carp” is often associated with “carp whining,” which is not considered auspicious. Therefore, people also advise against eating carp during the 15th of July to avoid bad luck.

**Balut:**
Balut, a nutritious and tasty delicacy, is believed to bring bad luck if consumed during the first day of the month, the Lunar New Year, or the 15th of July. Feng shui expert Bui Quang Minh also warns against eating cat meat, carp, and duck meat during the “Hungry Ghost Month” and suggests refraining from offering these meats on ancestral altars.

**Shrimp Paste:**
Shrimp paste, a beloved condiment by many, is avoided during the first day of the month, the New Year, or the 15th of July due to its strong and distinctive odor. When visiting temples or participating in ceremonies during this festival, people also tend to avoid eating shrimp paste and garlic to maintain a pure and clean atmosphere. Additionally, shrimp paste is not placed on the offering tray during the 15th of July to respect the sanctity of the worship space.

**Duck Meat:**
Similar to the previously mentioned foods, duck meat is also considered unlucky if consumed during the first day of the month, the New Year, or the 15th of July. Many believe that eating duck meat on these occasions can lead to separation and bring bad luck in life.