Fri, 22nd Nov 2024 12:09 (GMT +7)

Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year

Monday, 23/01/2023 | 08:06:46 [GMT +7] A  A

As the morning of the Lunar New Year dawned people across the country went to churches and temples to pray for peace and happiness.

Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
From 6 a.m. Sunday over 1,000 faithful gathered at the Chinh Trach Catholic Church in Da Nang City for the first mass of the New Year. Priest Gabrial Nguyen Ngoc Tuan blesses Bible verses with incense to give members of the parish. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong.

Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
Faithful said: “Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong.
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
Children dance to celebrate the New Year. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
After receiving bread and wine, the faithful take a printed Bible and a New Year greeting card. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
Father Grabrial gives his flock li xi, an envelope containing cash, for the New Year. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
Visitors put up pieces of paper with their wishes on a plant as prayers to the gods, hoping they will be fulfilled. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
A card reads: “Pray that the family on both sides will be healthy, peaceful, joyful, and happy.” Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
At Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3, people showed up early morning to pray. Many rang a bell, believing their prayers will thus be heard by the gods. “I let my son ring the bell to give him the experience,” Huu Vi of Binh Thanh District said. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
People then gathered in the main yard to burn incense and offer prayers. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
People touched idols to pray for good things in the new year. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran
Vietnamese flock to pray for peace on New Year
Visitors receive small packets of rice and salt as they leave. It is traditionally thought that salt chases away evil spirits and rice brings fullness for the whole year. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.

Source: VnExpress