Tourists explore Vietnam’s Tet traditions through Chung cake festival
The 12th annual banh Chung (square glutinous rice cakes) festival in Phan Thiet city, the south-central province of Binh Thuan, gave international visitors an engaging glimpse into Vietnam’s Lunar New Year or Tet traditions.
Foreign tourists explore Vietnam’s Tet traditions through Chung cake festival (Photo: VNA)
Binh Thuan (VNA) - The 12th annual banh Chung (square glutinous rice cakes) festival in Phan Thiet city, the south-central province of Binh Tꦏhuan, gave international visitors﷽ an engaging glimpse into Vietnam’s Lunar New Year or Tet traditions.
Hosted by The Cliff Resort & Residences, the event featured nearly 100 tourists from countries like Australia, Finland, and the Republic of Korea participating in a chung cake making competition.
Dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire, guests learned the cultural significance of chung cake and prepared the cakes using sticky rice, mung beans, pork, and dong leaves. For many, the hands-on experience was a delightful challenge, blending fun with cultural discovery.
Beyond cooking, the festival included activities such as calligraphy, toy figurine making, and bamboo crafts, along with food stalls showcasing Vietnamese Tet specialties. Visitors praised the vibrant atmosphere and the opportunity to immerse themselves in local traditions.
This annual event has become a cultural highlight in Binh Thuan, combining education and entertainment to share Vietnam’s rich heritage with the world./.
Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) and a Chung cake-making activity were introduced at a recent meeting of the ASEAN Spouses Circle (ASC) held in Washington D.C.
Both Vietnamese and French students learned how to make Chung cake (square sticky rice cake) with their own hands while engaging in the “Journee de Banh Chung” (the Day of Banh Chung) held at the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Paris on January 28, as the most important annual festival for the Vietnamese people is just around the corner.
Black Chung cake is a distinctive type of Chung cake made by the Tay ethnic people in Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province. Traditionally prepared only for Tet (the Lunar New Year), it has now gained popularity and has become a sought-after delicacy among tourists visiting the region.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
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For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
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The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
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Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
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