Quang Ninh people celebrate Tet Han Thuc
Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival), a traditional festival in Vietnam, is celebrated today or March 3 of Lunar Calendar. This is occasion for family to gather and remember their ancestors.
The festival is celebrated in many Asian countries, but in Vietnam the festival features a unique and special nuance, reminding family members to commemorate their ancestors.
Litterally, Han means cold and Thuc mean food. According to culturalists, starting from the 3rd lunar month, the weather gradually warms up, which is also the time to change from spring to summer. Therefore, to celebrate this time of year, people eat cold foods.
On Tet Han Thuc, all family’s members, even living or working far from home will come home to make “banh troi” and “banh chay” together. “Banh troi” are spheres made of glutinous rice flour with piece of sugar inside. “Banh chay” are bigger than “banh troi” and have sweet green bean inside instead of sugar. “Banh troi” has usually some coconut fibers and sesame, meanwhile “banh chay” has sweet broth.
After having done, people will put “banh troi” and “banh chay” on a tray on altar to offer ancestor. Then the householder will burn incense to invite ancestor enjoy Tet Han Thuc with family. When the liturgy of ancestor worship ended, all family will eat “banh troi” and “banh chay” together.
