Full moon of July in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic

Strictly implement epidemic prevention

To ensure safety for people during Vu Lan festival –Full moon of JulyLocalities have issued many documents guiding people to organize the Full Moon Festival and eat the Full Moon Festival in accordance with the new situation on a small scale, not organizing large gatherings, and ensuring strict implementation of anti-epidemic measures.

A deserted country road on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month in Vo Liet commune, Thanh Chuong. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Dau Van Thang, Secretary of the Nghi Thiet Commune Youth Union (Nghi Loc) said: This year, there is 1 case of Covid-19 infection in the area, the situation is complicated, the way people celebrate the Full Moon Festival is also different. Families here only shop, prepare offerings, burn incense according to traditional customs, not organize it in a grand manner like every year. The atmosphere of the Full Moon Festival in the coastal village is quiet in fear of the epidemic.

For the people of Yen Thanh rice village, this year's Full Moon Festival is no exception. Mr. Nguyen Dai Phuoc in Bac Thanh commune said: The commune is currently setting up many anti-epidemic checkpoints, and in hamlet 4 alone, where I live, there are 9 checkpoints. These days, my mother and I are both on duty at the checkpoints in the hamlet, to strictly control the implementation.Directive No.16in the area – Mr. Phuoc shared.

A tray of five fruits for offering to ancestors from homegrown garden in Khanh Son commune (Nam Dan). Photo: Huy Thu

In the mountainous district of Thanh Chuong, the celebration of the Full Moon and the Full Moon Festival in the 7th lunar month is also organized internally. Mr. Hoang Phi Hung in Vo Liet commune said: Last year, the children and grandchildren came back in large numbers and prepared a lot of food. Now, I am alone at home, so I prepare less, but still prepare two full trays of food to worship the ancestors according to traditional rituals.

The organization of ceremonies at the family temple as well as worshiping and offering incense at the relics in the area has been strictly regulated by the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district. At the family temples, no ceremonies are held, only representatives are arranged to come and burn incense. The relics and places of worship in the district are closed until further notice. On the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, the relic management board only sends 1 person to burn incense.

Simple altar for the 15th day of the 7th lunar month at a family temple. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Tran Hong Phong (74 years old) in Dai Dong commune shared: Our Tran family has nearly 1,000 people. In previous years, every full moon of the seventh lunar month, we held a joyful ancestor worship ceremony. Now, following the district's official dispatch, on the full moon day, only I - the head of the clan committee - came to offer incense.

It is known that in Thanh Chuong district, there are currently 9 cases of Covid 19 infection, all of whom returned from the South and were quarantined immediately upon arriving in their hometown. In the process of implementing Directive 16, the Chairman of the District People's Committee requested the Steering Committee for epidemic prevention from the district to the grassroots level and the functional forces to continue to promote extensive propaganda so that people can properly implement the directive. At the same time, strengthen patrols, control, and strictly handle cases of intentional violations.

A full moon offering during the epidemic season in Thanh Chuong. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Tran Vo Hiep - Vice Chairman of Thanh Dong Commune People's Committee said: "The commune has established 2 patrol teams, with 100% of the police force on duty 24/7, to patrol, control and remind people to strictly implement Directive 16; thoroughly handle cases of intentional violations. On the night of July 14 and 15 of the lunar calendar, the brothers patrol regularly, suddenly and continuously. Focus mainly on implementing regulations during the application of Directive 16, checking compliance at clan churches in organizing Vu Lan Festival on the 15th of July. Strictly monitor citizens who are quarantined at home... With high determination, taking drastic actions for the common safety of the community.

Preserving customs in the new situation

The altar of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month of a family in Vinh City. Photo: Nguyen Huu

Families organize to welcome and eat the Full Moon Festival within their own internal framework. The most special Full Moon Festival space in July ever is present throughout the countryside of Nghe An.

In compliance with the regulations, the family temple only has 1-2 people offering incense on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Nguyen Van Huu in Xuan Lam commune (Hung Nguyen) said: There are 2 cases of Covid-19 infection in the area, authorities at all levels focus on the anti-epidemic front, charity activities to help families in difficult circumstances... The celebration of the Full Moon Festival is organized by families simply, mainly with traditional rituals and procedures.

Vu Lan Festival - Full Moon Festival in the seventh lunar month during the epidemic season, in general, people in localities strictly follow epidemic prevention regulations, but somewhere there are still some citizens who do not strictly follow Directives 15 and 16 and have been reminded by authorities, even severely fined to deter everyone.

A family in Thanh Phong commune (Thanh Chuong) cooks banh chung on the occasion of the 15th day of the 7th lunar month to give to the local anti-epidemic task force. Photo: Huy Thu

With the slogan "stay where you are" and "fight the epidemic like fighting the enemy", celebrating the 15th of the 7th lunar month this year for many people far from home, both at home and abroad, is different from every year.

In Vinh City, many people stay in the city to prepare a full moon offering in their rented rooms... Mr. Nguyen Huu Hung (35 years old), from Thanh Chuong, shared: "This is the first time in my life that I celebrate a full moon in July away from home. This morning, my wife and I prepared a simple offering ourselves. In our small house in Vinh City, I prepared and read the prayer to the local god and made offerings to our grandparents and ancestors, praying for their protection and health, for the epidemic to soon be eliminated, and for us to overcome disasters...".

The functional forces of Thanh Dong commune (Thanh Chuong) are ready to perform epidemic prevention tasks. Photo: Huy Thu

The Full Moon Festival in July - Trung Nguyen Festival - Vu Lan Festival is a day for people to turn to their roots, family, homeland, and clan with sacred feelings. In the complicated situation of the epidemic, the practice of celebrating and eating the Full Moon Festival in July of the people in the localities in the province has had to change more or less, in scale and method to suit the new situation, both contributing to preserving cultural traditions and ensuring that the epidemic does not spread, ensuring safety for everyone, for families and the community.