Foreigners wrap banh chung to give to the poor in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - While a young writer believes that Lunar New Year needs to change to suit the integration trend, international friends are extremely excited about Vietnam's traditional customs. A group of foreign friends had an interesting experience when they personally wrapped Chung cakes to give to the poor in Nghe An.

The activity is part of the annual program "Wrapping Chung cakes for a warm and prosperous Tet holiday" of Muong Thanh Group. At Muong Thanh Song Lam Hotel (Vinh City) this year, there was a surprise appearance of international guests participating in this meaningful social activity.

There were guests who had celebrated Tet in Vietnam before, but this was the first time they experienced the custom of wrapping banh chung.

Sam (sitting in the middle), a British man, has been in Vietnam for just over 2 weeks and this will be his first Tet. He listens attentively to the guide explaining and demonstrating each step of the cake wrapping process.

Sophie was surprised by the ingredients used to make banh chung. For foreigners, "banh" is usually a sweet dish, so making banh chung from sticky rice, green beans, and pork is quite strange.

However, foreign guests were very excited to hear about the meaning of each ingredient in the traditional Vietnamese cake and eagerly awaited the cake wrapping part.

The cake wrapping stage requires the help of Vietnamese friends because this is the most difficult stage.

Jessica (British) is very skilled at tying banh chung strings. She is also considered the most skillful in the group, as her finished products are the most square banh chung.

Excitedly showing off the first finished banh chung.

Although not all of the banh chung cakes wrapped by foreigners are square and beautiful, this is an interesting cultural experience and contributes to bringing a warmer Tet to the poor.

Take a souvenir photo with the banh chung that you wrapped yourself.

Chloe (middle) said she had an interesting and meaningful time with her Vietnamese friends discovering a unique traditional custom.

A group of foreign guests took souvenir photos with Muong Thanh Song Lam hotel staff and Vinh Guru group.

Trying the banh chung prepared by the hotel, Sophie said: "Wrapping banh chung is very difficult but also very fun. I hope the cake I wrap will be as delicious as this when it reaches the poor during Tet."

Thuc Anh - Phan Minh