Vietnamese in Berlin welcome the Year of the Rooster
VOV.VN - TET is the most important celebration of Vietnamese residents residing in Berlin. Each year they gather at the Pho Da Pagoda to celebrate with traditional rituals, customs and make holiday delicacies such as Banh Chung.
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Banh Chung (Chung cake or square rice cake) is an irreplaceable dish at TET for all Vietnamese. Pictured: Vietnamese residents of Berlin make Chung cake at the Pho Da Pagoda. |
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The origin of Banh Chung can be traced to Hong Bang Dynasty – when the 6th Hung Emperor ruled the land. |
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One spring day, thinking he was getting too old to lead the country any longer, the Hung Emperor decided to find the best prince to replace him and sit on the throne. |
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He held a cooking contest for his 21 sons, and pronounced that the one who could fully satisfy his taste would be his successor. |
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While most of the young princes made expensive foods of the finest ingredients, the poorest among them, Lieu, made a simple Banh Chung that deeply impressed the Hung Emperor. |
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The Hung Emperor decided that Lieu was the winner and passed his throne to him. Ever since, Banh Chung – symbolizing the sky we live under – has been a traditional food during the Tet holiday. |
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Over a 7- day period in the run-up to TET the residents of Berlin make more than 1,500 Banh Chung cakes. |
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Ms Quynh Nga is the fastest and they say she can adeptly wrap hundreds each day. |
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Monk Thich Phap Nhan (left), head of the Pho Da Pagoda, wraps Banh Chung with other residents. |
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Peter, a German Buddhist, participates in the annual event. |
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