Vietnam has the five-fruit tray; what does China have during Lunar New Year?

Trying his hand at arranging the five-fruit tray during the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday, Mr. Xuyi Wu (a Chinese tourist) had wonderful memories of his visit to Vietnam during the Lunar New Year.

Tourists are delighted with the fruit platter they arranged themselves - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN

According to Xuyi Wu, a Chinese tourist, the two countries share many cultural similarities, and the Chinese also have distinctive customs during the Lunar New Year. However, instead of preparing a platter of five fruits, they usually prepare various grains such as peanuts and rice, along with different types of hats to symbolize the five elements.

"In some regions of China, we don't eat fruit because in winter we don't have as many varieties as in Vietnam."

"Through today's workshop, we have learned so much about your traditional culture. This is a special experience, a special memory for us," Xuyi Wu shared.

The experience of arranging the five-fruit tray helped Xuyi Wu understand more about Vietnamese culture - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN

Experiencing the traditional Vietnamese New Year fruit arrangement is an activity within the program promoting Vietnamese culture to international guests at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel.

Many tourists staying at hotels and living in Hanoi have had the opportunity to learn how to make a five-fruit offering tray themselves, following the instructions of the hotel chefs.

For Vietnamese people, the five-fruit platter for Tet (Lunar New Year) is made from sweet fruits from their own gardens, offered with reverence to their ancestors.

Chef Nguyen Hung Thong guides tourists in preparing the five-fruit offering tray - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN

Chef Nguyen Hung Thong of the hotel shared that the five fruits symbolize the five blessings, representing the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, symbolizing abundance in Vietnamese culture. In addition to the fruits themselves, Chef Thong also guided guests on how to combine them for harmonious colors.

Cathy Wendorf, an Australian tourist, had previously been advised against visiting countries during the traditional Lunar New Year to avoid crowds, but this time she decided to travel to Vietnam right before the Lunar New Year to begin her trip .

Cathy learned to make fruit platters very quickly - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN

As soon as she received an invitation to participate in the experience of making the traditional Vietnamese New Year fruit platter at the hotel where she was staying, Cathy immediately accepted.

"It was wonderful with all the fruits, flowers, and the temple visit experience... I think this was a really helpful tour that helped us understand your culture better."

"I understand that the five-fruit offering is an indispensable part of your Tet celebration. Everyone will reunite, praying for blessings and peace in the new year," Cathy shared.

The Vietnamese fruit platter is completely different from the Korean one - Photo: M. PHUC

As for Kim Na Huyn (South Korea), she came to Vietnam to find work and learn Vietnamese. Na Huyn was introduced to the experience of learning about Vietnamese culture by a friend.

"I am very happy to participate in this activity; it helps me understand more about your culture during Tet. This is a completely new experience, giving me unforgettable memories."

"I realized that even though we're all in Asia, each country has its own unique cultural differences," Na Huyn said excitedly.

Traditional cultural experiences not only help tourists better understand the Vietnamese way of life but are also key to retaining them and encouraging them to return to Vietnam more often.

Visitors will be introduced to the five-fruit offering tray and can arrange the fruits themselves using the pre-prepared fruits - Photo: M. PHUC

The tray of five fruits is an indispensable part of Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN

After arranging the offerings, visitors will take the tray of five fruits to Kim Lien Pagoda - the temple dedicated to Princess Tu Hoa - to offer as a tribute. - Photo: M. PHUC

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/viet-nam-co-mam-ngu-qua-trung-quoc-co-gi-trong-tet-nguyen-dan-20260216165500134.htm