Foreign diplomatic corps explores Vietnam’s traditional Tet culture
(VOVWORLD) - An event was recently held to introduce the foreign diplomatic corps in Hanoi to Vietnam’s traditional lunar New Year festival.
 Foreign diplomatic corps in Hanoi observe how to make Chung cake (Photo: baovanhoa.vn) |
The event, jointly organized by the Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Women’s Circle of Hanoi (AWCH), was among the first cultural exchange activities of the ASEAN Year 2020.
Its aim was to boost exchanges between nations and introduce Vietnam’s traditions and customs to foreign friends in order to consolidate the friendship between ASEAN countries and promote Vietnam’s image.
Deputy Director of the Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs Department Duong Quoc Thanh said: “Vietnamese cuisine was chosen as the theme for this year as it has recently gained widespread international attention. In addition, we introduced a number of national art forms. Participants gained a better understanding of Vietnam and its people by visiting Vietnamese heritages recognized by UNESCO.”
The event featured a banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) contest, in which foreign ambassadors, charges d’affaires, and their spouses joined local residents throughout the process of making this indispensable Tet dish.