Graves in Fields and Ancestor Worship
Many Vietnamese believe their ancestors are still around...just living in in another realm, and that it is the decedents duty to tend their graves and meet their needs. On special days (including Tet) the Vietnamese burn special offerings for their ancestors. These offerings include tokens of what their ancestors need in the other realm including: play money (American one hundred dollar notes as well as Vietnamese dong) and paper motorcycles and cars.... Many also feel it is important to keep their dead nearby, so it is common to see graves in the midst of a family rice fields. Another common belief is if they are unable to bury their deceased family members on family soil that the souls of these ancestors will be left in turmoil forevermore. Due to the American War there are hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese dead that never received a proper burial. In fact, the families often don't...
