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Truck Blessing Ceremony in Hanoi: Tradition and Safety

LONG

03/03/2025

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“Where there’s worship, there’s sacredness, where there’s avoidance, there’s peace” – a Vietnamese proverb, especially true for significant assets like trucks. Blessing a truck is not just a spiritual cultural practice but also embodies the owner’s desire for safety, luck, and prosperity.

Truck blessing ceremony

What is a Truck Blessing Ceremony?

A truck blessing ceremony, also known as “eye-dotting” or “vehicle consecration,” is a ritual to invoke good fortune for the owner and the truck – their loyal companion on the road. This ceremony is usually performed by a shaman or Buddhist monk to invite deities to protect the truck, ensuring smooth journeys and prosperous business.

Significance of the Truck Blessing Ceremony

Vietnamese people believe that “every object has a soul,” including trucks. The blessing ceremony carries several meanings:

Spiritual: Placing faith in the protection of deities, warding off evil spirits, and ensuring safety for the owner and passengers.
Feng Shui: Enhancing positive energy for the truck, attracting wealth and luck for business endeavors.
Psychological: Providing peace of mind and confidence for the owner while operating the vehicle.

Truck Blessing Ceremony Process

Depending on individual preferences and circumstances, the ritual can be simple or elaborate. However, it usually includes these basic steps:

Preparation: Choosing an auspicious date and time, cleaning the truck thoroughly, and preparing offerings (fruits, sticky rice with chicken, wine, votive paper…).
Ceremony: The shaman/monk recites prayers, invoking deities to witness and bless the owner and the truck.
Eye-dotting: The shaman uses a brush to apply cinnabar to vital parts of the truck (steering wheel, mirrors, headlights…).
Completion: After the ceremony, the owner burns votive paper and scatters rice and salt for good luck.

Truck on the road

Things to Note When Blessing a Truck

Choose a reputable and experienced shaman/monk.
Prepare offerings thoughtfully and with sincerity.
After the blessing, drive the truck a short distance to “get the spirit” and pray for smooth sailing.

Truck Blessing – Should You Do It?

Blessing a truck is a beautiful spiritual and cultural practice, expressing the desire for safety and good fortune. However, the most important factor is the driver’s awareness, adherence to traffic laws, and cautious driving to ensure safety for themselves and others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I recently bought a truck on installment and don’t have the official ownership papers yet. Can I still have it blessed? A: Absolutely. You can use the sales contract or mortgage documents for the ceremony.

Q: Which day and time should I choose for the truck blessing ceremony? A: Consult with a shaman/monk to choose a date and time that is compatible with your age and zodiac sign.

Q: Where can I find a reputable place for a truck blessing ceremony in Hanoi? A: You can visit reputable pagodas and temples in Hanoi.