Wrapping banh tet (Vietnamese sticky rice cake). Photo: THUY TIEN
Under the early morning sun of the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the atmosphere at the Tet rice cake wrapping, cooking, and fruit platter decorating competition for military and civilian participants, organized by the Provincial Women's Union in coordination with the Provincial Labor Federation in Hoa Dien commune, became lively. The competing teams, comprised of women's union members, officers, and soldiers of the armed forces, quickly settled down and prepared their ingredients. Bundles of fresh green banana leaves were wiped clean and neatly arranged; baskets of white sticky rice and golden beans were ready for the rice cake wrapping competition.
Women's association members, officers, and soldiers meticulously prepared ingredients and wrapped each sticky rice cake (bánh tét) not only for the competition but also as a New Year's gift to give to officers, soldiers, women, and poor people in the area. The mothers and sisters gathered together, their hands nimbly wrapping the cakes, their mouths laughing and chatting, creating a warm atmosphere. Young soldiers, learning to wrap cakes for the first time, gradually formed perfectly round sticky rice cakes under the dedicated guidance of the women. "Participating in the sticky rice cake wrapping and cooking competition in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) was very moving for me. This is not only an opportunity for us women to showcase our culinary skills but also a chance for the military and civilians to become closer, sharing the good values of life together," said Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Trang, a resident of Hoa Dien commune.
To strengthen the bond between the military and the people, the Women's Union of Tay Yen commune, together with the Tay Yen Border Guard Post, organized the wrapping of 200 sticky rice cakes (banh tet) to donate to poor and near-poor women members in the commune. With skillful hands and meticulous preparation, the women and border guards wrapped the sticky rice cakes not only beautifully but also ensured quality, rich in the flavors of Tet (Lunar New Year), and full of affection. "These cakes, wrapped with heartfelt kindness, contribute to bringing the traditional Tet flavor to poor women members and those in difficult circumstances, while also strengthening the solidarity between the military and the people, spreading the spirit of mutual support in the community," said Le Thanh Nho, President of the Tay Yen Commune Women's Union.
According to the Provincial Women's Union, the activity of wrapping and cooking banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) has been maintained and expanded in the locality for many years, becoming an annual activity with profound political and social significance. This activity attracts the participation of a large number of members and soldiers of the armed forces, through which the women's unions at all levels in the province integrate the promotion of patriotic traditions, solidarity, and responsibility to care for the poor and those in difficult circumstances. Each banh tet is not simply a traditional Tet dish but also contains feelings and sharing with policy beneficiary families, poor households, and soldiers performing duties at units stationed in the area.
Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, Le Thi Ngoc Dung, shared: "The activity of wrapping and cooking banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) contributes to preserving and spreading traditional cultural values, strengthening the bond between the military and the people, boosting morale, and helping officers, soldiers, and people in difficult circumstances have a warm and fulfilling Tet holiday."
THUY THAN
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tet-am-tinh-quan-dan-a476937.html
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