Ông Táo: the Kitchen Gods' day before Tết

Ông Táo day, known in Vietnamese as Tết Ông Công Ông Táo, falls on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, about a week before Tết. On that day, families send off the Kitchen Gods, who are believed to travel to heaven to report on the household's year to the Jade Emperor. In 2027, it falls on Saturday, January 30.

It's one of the first signs that Tết is close, and it kicks off the final rush of cleaning, cooking and preparing.

Who are Ông Công and Ông Táo?

In Vietnamese folk belief, the Kitchen Gods watch over the home, especially the hearth. They're often described as a trio, two men and one woman, and are collectively called Ông Công Ông Táo or simply Táo Quân. Say Ông Táo roughly as "ohm TAO," with a rising-falling feel on "Táo."

The best-known legend explains why there are three. In the story, a woman and her first husband separated after a quarrel. She later remarried. When her first husband, now poor, came begging at her door, she recognized him and gave him food. Her second husband returned, and in the confusion that followed, all three died in a fire. The Jade Emperor, moved by their loyalty and kindness, made them the guardians of the kitchen. Details and names vary between tellings, so you may hear slightly different versions.

Why they go to heaven

Each year, the Kitchen Gods leave the house to report to Ngọc Hoàng, the Jade Emperor, on everything that happened in the family over the past year: good deeds, quarrels and all. Families send them off with offerings, hoping for a kind report and blessings for the coming year. They're believed to return on New Year's Eve, in time for Tết.

The carp they ride

The most distinctive part of the day involves cá chép, live carp. The Kitchen Gods are said to ride carp up to heaven. In a widely told image, the carp transforms into a dragon as it rises, echoing the "carp leaping the dragon gate" story found across East Asia.

So on Ông Táo day, many families buy one or more live carp, place them on the altar briefly as part of the offering, then release them into a pond, lake or river. Fish markets are busy with carp sellers in the days before.

In recent years, some cities have encouraged people to release fish carefully and not throw plastic bags into the water along with them. If you take part, release the fish gently and bring the bags home.

What goes on the offering tray

A typical Ông Táo offering might include:

• Mũ ông Công: paper hats, two for the men and one for the woman, plus paper clothing and boots
• Live carp in a bowl of water, or paper carp in some households
• Incense, flowers and fruit
• A meal or simple dishes, depending on the family
• Votive paper, which is burned after the ceremony

The ceremony usually takes place on or before the 23rd, ideally before noon. Families light incense, pray, and then burn the paper items to send them along with the gods.

Regional differences

The custom is observed across Vietnam, but practices vary. Live carp release is especially associated with the North. In some Southern families, the offering may be simpler, and paper carp or no carp at all are common. Food offerings also differ by region and family tradition.

A modern twist: the Táo Quân TV show

For many Vietnamese people, the Kitchen Gods are also linked to Táo Quân, a long-running comedy show broadcast on national TV around New Year's Eve. The performers play the Kitchen Gods reporting to the Jade Emperor and use the format to poke fun at the year's news and social issues. It became a well-known part of the Tết season for many families.

How Ông Táo fits into the Tết countdown

The day marks the start of the final stretch before the new year. After the Kitchen Gods leave, families often:

• Clean the house thoroughly, including the altar
• Buy flowers like peach blossoms in the North or yellow apricot blossoms in the South
• Prepare the five-fruit tray and the Tết rice cakes
• Settle debts and plan visits

For the 2027 calendar, Ông Táo is January 30, New Year's Eve is February 5 and Tết itself is February 6. Our guide to when Tết 2027 falls has the full schedule.

If you'd like to honor the day in a simple way, light a candle or incense in the kitchen on January 30 and give it a really good clean.