Vietnamese Tet in Russia

Choreographer Anatasia Suvorova suggested a special party for the Tet celebration and the initiative was supported by all group members.

With assistance from a Vietnamese girl, they prepared Dong leaves, sticky rice and pork to make Banh Chung – a typical savoury cake for the Tet holiday. They even purchased mushrooms, minced pork, sprouts, pepper, and rice cake papers to make spring rolls.

They displayed a tray of fruits and decorated a peach branch for the special party at Moscow-based Ha Long Restaurant. 

Likewise the girls wore traditional Vietnamese long dress (Ao Dai) to welcome in the New Year, which made a lasting impression on them.

Suvorova said after her group’s performance tour in Vietnam last year, she became fascinated with Vietnamese culture and wanted to learn more about it.

She was deeply impressed by how meticulously Vietnamese prepare for Tet and worship ancestors, she added, something that is not done in Russia.

Kristina, a 17-year-old student from the dancing group, also found it exciting to make Chung cake and spring rolls. She marvels at the idea of returning to Vietnam to visit more wonderfully exotic and beautiful places and people.

In a diplomatic area in west Moscow, dozens of Vietnamese families gathered wrapping Chung cake and teaching their children how to make them.

Meanwhile, a group of young Russian friends who were learning the Vietnamese language were also captivated on learning of how Vietnamese prepare for Tet.

Kostia, a young girl working at a police office, found it challenging and rewarding as she learned the intricacies on how to make Chung cake.

“This is the first time I have participated in such a wonderful activity,” she said. “I came to Vietnam last year and like it very much. I decided to study Vietnamese to learn more about how the people prepare for Tet.”

Tet has steadily been gaining in popularity with international friends, and serves as a cultural bridge connecting overseas Vietnamese and foreign friends with the homeland.