The Full Moon Festival of the Seventh Lunar Month, also known as the Vu Lan Festival (Lễ Vu Lan) in Vietnam or the Ghost Festival in other East Asian countries, is one of the most spiritually significant events in the lunar calendar. Celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Vu Lan is a time to honor deceased ancestors, express filial piety, and reflect on the Buddhist values of compassion and gratitude.
Beyond rituals and prayers, food plays a central role in this meaningful occasion. Households prepare special vegetarian dishes, offerings for altars, and communal meals that are both symbolic and delicious. This article explores the traditional foods associated with the Full Moon Festival in the Seventh Month, their cultural and spiritual significance, and how they are enjoyed across different regions and generations.
1. The Significance of Food During Vu Lan Festival
Food has always held a sacred place in Vietnamese culture, especially during festivals and ancestral commemorations. During Vu Lan, meals are not just about nourishment but about offering, respect, and purity. Families prepare trays of food to place on home altars, pagodas, and even at grave sites. The emphasis is on vegetarian cuisine, reflecting Buddhist ideals of non-violence, mindfulness, and compassion for all beings.
Meals are prepared with care, often consisting of five to seven different dishes arranged harmoniously on a tray. Each item carries a specific meaning, contributing to a symbolic feast that invites spiritual merit, honors family ties, and shares goodwill with the departed.
2. The Vegetarian Tradition of Vu Lan
One of the most distinctive features of Vu Lan cuisine is its focus on vegetarian food. Known as món chay, these dishes exclude meat, seafood, and even pungent vegetables such as garlic and onion, adhering to Buddhist precepts. The choice to go vegetarian during Vu Lan is an act of spiritual discipline and compassion.
Common Vegetarian Dishes:
- Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Chả Giò Chay)
A popular appetizer made from mung bean noodles, tofu, carrots, mushrooms, and taro, all rolled in rice paper and fried until golden. These crunchy rolls are served with sweet-and-sour dipping sauce and are a staple on festival trays. - Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables (Rau Củ Xào Chay)
A colorful and nutritious medley of seasonal vegetables like bok choy, snow peas, bell peppers, and lotus root. Often stir-fried with soy sauce or mushroom sauce, this dish symbolizes balance and harmony. - Vegetarian Stew (Lẩu Chay or Canh Chay)
Made with tofu, tomatoes, mushrooms, and herbs in a light broth. Sometimes enhanced with taro, corn, or bitter melon, the stew offers warmth and nourishment during the contemplative festival. - Sticky Rice Dishes (Xôi Chay)
Sticky rice is a must on ritual trays. Variants include mung bean sticky rice (xôi đậu xanh), peanut sticky rice (xôi lạc), and five-color sticky rice (xôi ngũ sắc). Each represents abundance, good fortune, and spiritual richness. - Grilled Vegan Skewers (Nem Nướng Chay)
Made with grilled tofu, mushrooms, and eggplant, skewers are brushed with soy-based sauce and grilled until smoky and fragrant. These are typically served with rice noodles and herbs, bringing a festive feel to the meal.
3. Offering Food to Ancestors and Wandering Souls
In addition to home meals, families also prepare food for ritual offerings. It is believed that during the seventh lunar month, the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to return to the earthly realm. Offerings are made to both ancestors (to express love and remembrance) and wandering souls (to show compassion and invite blessings).
Typical Offering Tray (Mâm Cúng Rằm Tháng Bảy):
A complete offering tray may include:
- A bowl of sticky rice
- Bánh chay (sweet rice dumplings)
- A plate of vegetarian stir-fry
- Fruits (usually five types for symbolic balance)
- Incense, candles, and flowers
Sometimes, rice and salt are scattered outside to feed wandering spirits. In some regions, small paper boats or lanterns are floated on rivers to guide lost souls. These acts reflect the deep cultural values of kindness, generosity, and interconnectedness with both the living and the dead.
4. Sweet Treats for the Festival
Sweets are a crucial part of Vu Lan meals, symbolizing joy and the sweetness of family love. Traditional Vietnamese desserts (chè) are simple yet meaningful.
Popular Vu Lan Desserts:
- Chè Bà Ba
A coconut milk-based dessert with taro, cassava, and mung beans, this rich and creamy sweet soup brings comfort and represents familial care. - Chè Trôi Nước
Glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste and served in ginger syrup. This dessert symbolizes reunion and forgiveness—perfectly aligned with Vu Lan’s themes. - Bánh Ít Lá Gai
Sticky rice cakes wrapped in ramie leaves, filled with sweet mung bean or coconut. Their dark green hue and fragrant aroma make them a nostalgic favorite. - Lotus Seed Sweet Soup (Chè Hạt Sen)
Lotus seeds are a symbol of purity in Buddhism. This delicate dessert not only tastes elegant but also represents spiritual growth and enlightenment.
5. Regional Variations Across Vietnam
Vietnam’s diverse regions each contribute unique flavors and customs to the Vu Lan Festival.
Northern Vietnam:
In the North, simplicity and elegance define the Vu Lan meal. Dishes often feature ingredients like green beans, bamboo shoots, and lotus stems. Sticky rice and mung bean cakes dominate the offerings.
Central Vietnam:
Central Vietnamese cuisine is known for its balance of flavor and beautiful presentation. The offering tray often includes bánh ít, vegetarian bánh bèo (water fern cakes), and pickled vegetables. Spices are used more liberally, but the dishes remain delicate.
Southern Vietnam:
In the South, the Vu Lan meal is colorful and rich. Coconut milk is used generously in both savory and sweet dishes. Sticky rice varieties are abundant, and desserts like chè chuối (banana with coconut milk) are common.
6. Modern Interpretations of Vu Lan Cuisine
As Vietnam modernizes and urbanizes, some traditions evolve. Families may not have time to prepare extensive home-cooked meals, leading to the popularity of:
- Ready-made vegetarian meal boxes
- Temple-hosted communal feasts
- Online orders for ritual trays
Yet despite these conveniences, the spirit of Vu Lan remains unchanged: honoring one’s roots and fostering compassion through food.
7. Sharing, Charity, and Community Meals
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Vu Lan is the widespread practice of charity cooking. Many pagodas, monks, or community organizations prepare free vegetarian meals for the poor, the elderly, and orphans. This is inspired by the legend of Mục Kiền Liên, a Buddhist disciple who saved his mother from hell by performing acts of generosity on her behalf.
In some areas, large public banquets are held, where strangers eat together as equals. These meals break down social barriers and reinforce the Buddhist value of seeing all beings as one family.
8. The Message Behind the Meal
Vu Lan is often referred to as the “Mother’s Day” of Vietnamese Buddhism. While the food is important, what lies beneath each dish is even more meaningful:
- A bowl of soup becomes a prayer for peace.
- A spring roll is an offering of gratitude.
- A sweet dumpling is a reminder to cherish loved ones while they are still here.
Eating vegetarian during this time isn’t just about following tradition—it’s about practicing mindfulness, reducing harm, and cultivating spiritual merit. For Buddhists, the festival is a time to reflect on karma, release attachments, and deepen compassion.
Conclusion: A Feast of Devotion and Compassion
The Full Moon Festival of the Seventh Lunar Month is not just a day of ritual—it is a time of deep emotional and spiritual resonance. Through the preparation and sharing of traditional dishes, families in Vietnam express their love, remembrance, and values in the most heartfelt way.
From the humble vegetarian stir-fry to the sweet, fragrant chè trôi nước, every bite taken during Vu Lan is a tribute: to ancestors, to the hungry souls wandering unseen, and to the enduring power of family. In an age of fast living, Vu Lan’s slow, soulful meals offer a much-needed reminder that true nourishment comes not just from what we eat—but from how we eat, with whom, and why.
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