City villagers preserve unique rice cooking contest in early spring

The contest takes place at the communal house of the village on the eighth day of the first lunar month, which falls on February 17 this year.

city villagers preserve unique rice cooking contest in early spring picture 2

The festival is held in order to commemorate Phan Tay Nhac, a general of the 18th Hung King. Legend has it that one day Nhac led his guerrilla soldiers past Thi Cam village as they chased away the Chinese Shu invaders, and local villagers asked to join his force.

city villagers preserve unique rice cooking contest in early spring picture 3

The general then decided to host a rice cooking contest as a way of selecting a good chef. After the general died, he was honoured as the village’s god. Thi Cam villagers have since organised a rice cooking contest each year to express their gratitude to the general.

city villagers preserve unique rice cooking contest in early spring picture 4

During the rice cooking contest, four groups of competitors have to husk rice, get water, make a fire, and cook the rice. A jury comprising of respected village chiefs then select the winners of the contest.