Daily family meal - photo: TITC

The heritage culinary performance and talk show “Home Meals and Tet Feasts,” held at the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center, brought the warm atmosphere of the upcoming Lunar New Year and introduced the distinctive cultural aspects of Hanoi's culinary heritage to visitors.

The program, organized by the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee in collaboration with the Center for Research and Promotion of Cultural Heritage (CCH), was not only an opportunity to for people to witness the art of culinary preparation but also a journey to appreciate Hanoi's culinary heritage – an integral part of the national culture. Through this event, the program aimed to inspire pride in traditional values while emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting cultural beauty in contemporary life.

During the program, culinary expert Pham Thi Anh Tuyet demonstrated and vividly explained traditional dishes of Hanoians, both in daily life and during Tet feasts offered to ancestors. Sharing about “home meals,” Pham Thi Anh Tuyet noted that such meals are usually simple and familiar dishes, yet they embody immense love and care. For Vietnamese people in general and Hanoians in particular, the family meal is a time for all members to gather. It serves as a bridge that connects the family and motivates people to return home.

A Tet feast - photo: TITC

While “home meals” on ordinary days are simple, the “Tet feast,” as described by culinary expert Pham Thi Anh Tuyet, is more refined in presentation and intricate in preparation. A traditional Tet feast in Hanoi typically includes either four bowls and six dishes or four bowls and eight dishes, depending on the family's conditions. Preparing a Tet feast requires dedication and meticulous effort.

However, the “Tet feast” always carries the heartfelt sentiments of descendants offered to their ancestors during the early days of the New Year, as an expression of gratitude and hope for a prosperous life. “The traditional flavors and the arrangement of each dish reflect the domestic skills of women in the past. The Tet meal also brings the taste of reunion and warmth,” Tuyet said.

For generations, Vietnamese cuisine has symbolized creativity, cultural exchange, and traditional essence. The family meal is a distinctive cultural feature that connects members and preserves the cherished values of the home. The Tet feast holds profound significance – not only symbolizing family reunion but also expressing gratitude to ancestors and reflecting the philosophy of life through every dish and its arrangement.

Furthermore, according to Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly, a member of the National Council for Cultural Heritage and Vice Chair of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, each dish represents an intangible cultural heritage value. Through these dishes, one can hear stories of memories, see images of grandmothers and mothers, and feel the warmth from the care and preservation of family traditions. Especially in modern life, maintaining the warmth of the kitchen in each home means preserving family traditions and cultural values./.