When food becomes a bridge between cultures

VHO - In late May, in Hanoi, the aroma of hot dumplings, grilled skewers, spicy Sichuan hot pot, or handmade noodles led participants on a culinary journey to discover Chinese culture.

The "Flavors of China" culinary culture introduction program in 2026

The 2026 "Flavors of China" culinary culture introduction program, themed "Crossing mountains and seas to find the taste of China," organized by the Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi, is a unique culinary experience.

This also provides a vivid glimpse into the deepening cultural exchange between Vietnam and China.

Held on the afternoon of May 28th in Hanoi, the program brought together many delegates including cultural and diplomatic experts, lecturers, students, and those who love Chinese culture.

The event space was designed as a miniature "culinary map" of China, where each dish tells a story about the land, climate, customs, and philosophy of life of the people of the East.

Delegates and guests prepared Vietnamese and Chinese dishes.

Chinese cuisine has long transcended the concept of "food." It is a cultural system with a history spanning thousands of years. There, philosophical ideas, traditional medicine, aesthetics, and the art of etiquette coexist at the dinner table.

The Chinese consider eating and drinking an integral part of their way of life. From the famous saying, "The people regard food as heaven," to the philosophy of "harmonious balance of the five flavors," all demonstrate how the Chinese view the world through the lens of balance.

In his speech at the program, Mr. Dien Khoi Nho, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, emphasized that cuisine is both a means of conveying civilization and a thread connecting people's hearts.

Interestingly, there are many points of intersection between Vietnamese and Chinese culinary cultures.

Both originate from East Asian rice-farming civilizations, valuing fresh ingredients, emphasizing harmony, and striving for balance in flavor.

Haidilao noodle dance performance

While Chinese dumplings embody the spirit of family reunion and togetherness, Vietnamese spring rolls reflect the refined and intimate rhythm of life in the southern cities.

While Chinese stews focus on health and wellness, Vietnamese broths aim for a pure, natural flavor.

Perhaps it is this similarity that makes Vietnamese people more relatable to Chinese cuisine than many other cuisines.

A spicy Sichuan hot pot is appealing not only for the pungent flavor of Sichuan peppercorns but also for the warm, convivial spirit that is so characteristic of East Asian culture.

A bowl of Yunnan "crossing-the-bridge noodles" contains within it a legend about marital devotion and the patience of the people of the southern highlands of China.

Within the program space, traditional dances, folk art performances, demonstrations of handmade noodle-making, and a screening of the documentary "A Bite of China" helped viewers better understand that Chinese cuisine has always been intertwined with cultural life.

Artistic performances in the program

In China, food is inseparable from geography and community memory. One can recognize the character of a region through the spiciness of Sichuan cuisine, the sophistication of Guangdong dishes, or the generous nature of northern noodle dishes.

This year's program focuses more on young Vietnamese people who are learning Chinese and are interested in Chinese culture. This is also a growing trend in cultural exchange between the two countries.

Many universities, cultural centers, and educational institutions have recently intensified activities showcasing Chinese culture, art, and cuisine in Vietnam.

In this case, food becomes the most effective "soft language." No complex academic explanations are needed; simply sitting together at a table, enjoying a delicious meal, allows people to share emotions, memories, and understanding.

Perhaps that is why, in their speech at the event, the Chinese representative stated that "The Flavor of China" is not just the flavor of everyday life, but also the flavor of friendship and of the times.

More broadly, programs like "Taste of China" demonstrate that Vietnamese-Chinese cultural exchange is expanding in a more substantive way, closer to everyday life.

The Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi continuously organizes engaging activities that reflect real life, such as tea ceremony, culinary arts, and calligraphy.

While in the past, cultural exchange was primarily focused on diplomatic activities or specialized arts, today it is accessed through very real-life experiences such as tea ceremonies, cuisine, cinema, calligraphy, and tourism.

This is also a trend that the Chinese Cultural Center in Hanoi has been continuously implementing recently through numerous exhibitions, cultural festivals, and tourism promotion activities in Vietnam.

Amidst the strong recovery of tourism exchanges between the two countries, cultural promotion programs like this also contribute to stimulating the desire to explore destinations.

Many young Vietnamese people today know Yunnan through "crossing-the-bridge noodles," Sichuan from its spicy hot pot, or are curious about Xi'an after watching videos of Biang Biang noodles. Their taste buds begin to want to travel further to experience the local culture.

Ultimately, food is always the shortest path to the human heart. And in a world full of differences, meals sometimes become the easiest place to create empathy.

"Crossing mountains and seas to find the taste of China" is a journey of discovery and a journey of seeking connection between people, between two cultures that share many similarities in the depths of East Asia.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/khi-nhung-mon-an-tro-thanh-nhip-cau-van-hoa-232390.html