Vietnamese families in Belgium learn how to wrap banh chung. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)
Joining the atmosphere of welcoming the New Year with Vietnamese people around the world , overseas Vietnamese in Belgium are happily preparing for one of the most important traditional festivals of their homeland - Lunar New Year.
Although far away from the country, the family and fellow countrymen's love is still very deep, expressed in a special way through wrapping banh chung.
On the afternoon of January 28, at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium, the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium organized the program "Wrapping green banh chung, welcoming the Spring as you wish" with the activity of instructing how to wrap banh chung to introduce to the young generation and Belgian friends how to make a traditional banh chung, an indispensable specialty during the traditional Tet holiday of the Vietnamese people.
Plump, white, water-soaked sticky rice grains, golden green beans, green dong leaves, pieces of pork belly marinated in delicious fish sauce covered with fragrant pepper, and indispensable soft giang strings.
Ms. Thu Hang, who has lived in Brussels for 13 years, enthusiastically guides children and Belgian grooms on how to wrap banh chung, from how to arrange dong leaves, put in rice and beans, tie strings, and how to wrap the cake tightly and squarely so that it won't be sloppy when boiled.
Belgian grooms learn how to wrap banh chung for Tet. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)
For children of mixed Vietnamese-Belgian descent or Vietnamese children born and raised in Belgium, wrapping banh chung is not only a traditional activity but also a lesson in gratitude and family affection.
Little hands learn to fold dong leaves, wrap sticky rice and beans meticulously. Each small step, each small gesture shows that family and fellow countrymen's love is not lost when far away from the motherland Vietnam.
Brought to the event by her mother, Johana Mai Anh was very happy to learn how to wrap banh chung, a dish she loves.
At first, I found it difficult, but with careful guidance, I was able to complete my cake.
Ms. Tam Anh, the child's mother, said that her children have mixed Vietnamese and Belgian blood, so she wants them to understand more about the Tet culture of their motherland.
She wants her children to know how to prepare for Tet and to be aware of the culture and language of their homeland.
12-year-old boy Antonio Duc Anh is shy and doesn't speak Vietnamese fluently, but he is still eager to learn how to wrap banh chung.
Little by little, under the guidance of Ms. Thu Hang, the lovely little cake was completed to the joy of both mother and child.
Ms. Thao Linh, the child’s mother, said that Antonio understood very little Vietnamese and was shy. She often took him to Vietnamese community activities so that he could get to know his friends and be motivated to learn Vietnamese.
Loving Vietnam and having a Vietnamese girlfriend, Dennis Laureys and Christophe Standaert witnessed for the first time the "behind the scenes" of preparing for Vietnamese Tet.
The men enjoyed learning how to make a traditional banh chung as a way to deeply experience the culture and spirituality of Tet.
Foreign hands try to get used to green dong leaves, pleats and beans the way the Vietnamese have done for centuries.
From the smallest gestures, they understand that banh chung is not only a dish, but also a symbol of solidarity and gratitude.
Sharing with reporters, Mr. Dennis Laureys was very excited. He said he had visited Vietnam many times, but never during Tet and witnessed how Vietnamese people prepare for Tet. This was an extremely precious occasion for him.
Making banh chung has become an open door for him and other foreigners who love Vietnam to better understand the Vietnamese community, to find the connection and diversity that can only be found in the Tet atmosphere.
The event "Wrapping green Chung cakes" is the first activity marking the launch of the Women's Committee of the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium. This is also the first time the General Association has organized this meaningful activity to help overseas Vietnamese and members become more closely connected and celebrate the Year of the Dragon together in a joyful and warm atmosphere.
An art performance by the Women's Committee of the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium. (Photo: Huong Giang/VNA)
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Nguyen Van Thao, highly appreciated the initiative of the General Women's Association to help the younger generation better understand their cultural roots, especially the traditional Tet holiday. This is a way for the overseas Vietnamese community to contribute not only to preserving and promoting traditional values, but also to better understand the profound meaning of the image of Banh Chung on Tet holiday in their homeland.
The Ambassador affirmed that he will always accompany and support the activities of the General Association and the Embassy will always be the common home of the Vietnamese community in Belgium.
As President of the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium, Mr. Huynh Cong My affirmed that the General Association will continue to organize many activities to connect the community and promote solidarity among Vietnamese people in Belgium.
Ms. Minh Thu, Head of the Women's Committee of the General Association, said that with enthusiasm and love for the homeland and country as well as the desire to preserve and promote traditional culture, the women of the General Association continue to make efforts and organize many meaningful activities to strongly connect with the origin and cultural identity of Vietnam.
In the bustling atmosphere preparing to welcome a new Spring, the women sang loudly, praising the beauty of nature, expressing love and faith in life.
VNA
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