Patriots Send Tet Love to Vietnamese Islands
	Special Tet Program Celebrates Remote Border Communities

Spouse of the Party General Secretary, Ngo Phuong Ly, on January 16 afternoon joined female ambassadors and diplomats of foreign countries in Hanoi in wrapping ‘banh chung’ (glutinous rice cake) – a traditional dish on the occasion of Vietnam's Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, TG&VN reported.

The event is part of activities in the cultural diplomacy programme themed "Cultural Diplomacy: The Harmony with Vietnamese Tet", organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so the foreign diplmats can get into the festive spirit and prepare to welcome in the Lunar New Year of the Snake.

Pre-Tet days are the most colourful time when the streets change their coats into a new vital color of spring and joy. Photo: VNA

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly asked for calligraphy on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025. Photo: VNA

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly said that in today's modern society, ‘banh chung’ is no longer something to be enjoyed only during the Lunar New Year, but the tradition of wrapping this kind of cake for Tet remains an indispensable part of many Vietnamese family celebrations.

Of all the traditional dishes are put on the homealtar to worship their ancestors during Tet festival, banh chung is the soul of Tet, reflecting the quintessence of heaven and earth through the skilled hands of humans. To make the cake, the most fragrant and fibrous sticky rice are chosen and the cakes often have pork, green beans, dried onions and pepper in the centre.

Participants enjoyed other traditional Vietnamese dishes, watched folk singing performances, and visited booths showcasing traditional handicrafts. They then toured a Tet flower market, asked for calligraphy from the Ong do (Vietnamese calligrapher), and experienced pottery making and hand embroidery.

The program comprised creative performances by Vietnamese artists, a visit to a flower walk, a display of handicrafts and a photo exhibition featuring Vietnam's landmarks.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly and foreign guests wrap Banh chung. Photo: Thanh Long

Expressing her joy in taking part in the event, Egyptian Ambassador to Vietnam Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama took time out to praise Vietnam's socio-economic achievements in recent years, with a high economic growth rate and improving living standards.

She wished continued prosperity for Vietnam to succeed in its future socioeconomic development plans.

Madam Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son, and ASEAN guest experienced Vietnamese folk dance. Photo: Thanh Long

Naval Region 3 Brings Tet Atmosphere to Fatherland's Outpost Islands On January 8-9, officers and soldiers of Naval Region 3 visited the people and officers on Vietnam's outpost islands. This is their annual activity to ...

International Students Embrace the Vibrant Spirit of Tet From January 9-10, 2025, the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Hanoi National University organized the program "Ulis International Spring Festival 2025." Many staff, ...