Traditional Tet atmosphere at Vietnam’s Ethnic Culture Village

The “Green Chưng Cake – Tet for the Poor” programme brings together representatives from 16 ethnic communities currently residing at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, along with civil servants, members of the armed forces and benefactors.

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Bánh chưng (Chưng Cake) is an indispensable dish for the Lunar New Year holiday. The programme is an annual activity at the village, centred on making the cake and distributing Tet gifts to disadvantaged families.

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According to the organisers, this year’s programme is expected to mobilise and distribute nearly 700 gift packages, each worth about VND2 million, to members of ethnic communities who live and work regularly at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

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The gifts will also be delivered directly to disadvantaged communities in the provinces of Quang Tri, Cao Bang and Lang Son; to policy beneficiary families in Yen Bai and Doai Phuong communes in Hanoi; and to social protection centres and facilities caring for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

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According to Trinh Ngoc Chung, director of the Vietnam Authority ò Ethnic Cultures, over its 11 years of implementation, the “Green Chưng Cake – Tet for the Poor” programme has become an annual initiative supporting disadvantaged families, helping them celebrate the Lunar New Year more fully.

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“The value of the programme lies not in material support, but in its spiritual significance, reflecting the care and concern of state agencies, organisations and individuals for the poor, policy beneficiary families and vulnerable groups in society,” says Chung.

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In addition to gift-giving, the programme also features traditional cultural activities such as the raising of the New Year bamboo pole and folk song and dance exchanges among ethnic communities.

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These activities aim to introduce, preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of Vietnam’s ethnic groups, while also catering to visitors’ interests in cultural exploration and experiential tourism during the Lunar New Year holiday.

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Members of ethnic communities living regularly at the Village and officers and soldiers from the Army Officers’ Training School jointly take part in making traditional chưng cakes during the programme.

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Delegates, military personnel and members of ethnic communities take part in cultural exchanges during the “Green Chưng Cake – Tet for the Poor” programme.

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From the Lunar New Year’s Day, the Village will host a wide range of activities introducing the Tet customs and traditions of different ethnic groups, helping promote traditional cultural values and attract spring holiday visitors.

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The “Green Chưng Cake – Tet for the Poor” program once again underscored the role of culture in social welfare efforts, helping strengthen national unity ahead of the Lunar New Year.