575

March 14, 2009
Ancestor worship plays a serious role in Vietnamese society. As an outsider I sometimes believe you earn much more respect when you are dead. Prior to western influence in Vietnam, traditionally people did not celebrate birthdays. The death anniversary of a loved one, however, was (and is) always an occasion of much more importance.
Duties at an ancestors' grave include the burning of incense and cutting the weed. I doubt whether papier-mâché helmets are already in the assortment of items to be burned and "transferred" to the ancestors.
At this cemetary, on the banks of the Song Hong river, are at least 575 other graves.