On the afternoon of 17/1, at Vinh Long Square, spanning over 1,000 square meters, 21 competing teams representing various residential groups from Long Chau ward, dressed in traditional "ba ba" attire, busily prepared Tet feast trays reflecting the distinct culture of the Southern region.

This activity was part of the "Sharing the Taste of Vietnamese Tet - Connecting All Regions" campaign, organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in cooperation with Saigon Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Corporation (Sabeco).

Each feast tray was uniquely arranged on individual tables, featuring dishes such as banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake), braised pork with duck eggs, stuffed bitter melon soup, pork hock soup, and pickled small leeks. These dishes evoked the unifying flavors of family reunion. Teams further adorned their tables with apricot blossoms, five-fruit trays, and miniature landscapes to add visual appeal.

By 16:00, Ms. Ngoc Tien, 42, a member of the residential group 12 Front Committee, patiently trimmed vegetables and prepared dishes. As she worked, she reminisced about the "tastes of Tet" from decades past. "Our group started preparations two days ago, selecting good glutinous rice and soaking it overnight to ensure we could wrap the banh tet early in the morning", Ms. Tien recounted while slicing banh tet.

A competing team performs the final steps of the banh tet wrapping competition. Photo: Thai Anh

In another area, the Tan Thoi Hung residential group, led by Mr. Nguyen Chinh Luy, 68, was also busy decorating their feast tray. Traditional dishes like banh tet, braised pork, pickled vegetables, and bitter melon soup were neatly arranged and adorned with apricot blossoms and marigold branches. "The competition provides an opportunity for us to gather and cook together. This occasion is precious; cooking and chatting make Tet feel closer. Everyone is excited, working and sharing stories about Tet in the past, when we used to cook braised pork over a wood stove and had to carefully monitor the heat for the bitter melon soup", Mr. Luy said.

A member arranges the table and decorates dishes. Photo: Thai Anh

Beyond the competition, "Sharing the Taste of Vietnamese Tet - Connecting All Regions" recreated traditional Tet customs, including decorations, areas for requesting calligraphy from "Ong Do" (traditional calligraphers), and photo corners with yellow apricot blossoms, banh chung, and parallel couplets.

The event also served as a venue to display an e-album mosaic, compiling thousands of Tet photos from residents across 34 provinces and cities. This mosaic is part of the "Sharing the Taste of Vietnamese Tet" initiative, launched by Sabeco, which encouraged people to share their Tet moments and stories on social media using the hashtag #ChungViTetViet. The collaborative artwork was presented in three localities: Dak Lak, Vinh Long, and Nghe An, conveying a message of connection and sharing among Vietnamese people during the new year.

The day concluded with the distribution of 400 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged households in the area. These packages, containing rice, essential goods, and Tet candies, were personally handed to residents amidst applause and new year wishes.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuan Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vinh Long Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, stated that the "Sharing the Taste of Vietnamese Tet - Connecting All Regions" campaign aims to spread the spirit of sharing during the new year. According to her, the distributed gifts hold not only material value but also provide spiritual encouragement, helping residents feel the community's care and companionship.

Ms. Patsy Lim, a Sabeco representative, hands gifts to residents. Photo: Sabeco

After receiving her gift, Ms. Nguyen Kim Hoa, 73, from Long Chau ward, expressed her joy at receiving rice, spices, beverages, and Tet candies. "Every year, I worry about lacking things for Tet, but this year receiving gifts early warms my heart", she shared.

Ms. Patsy Lim, Deputy General Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Sabeco, noted that Tet is the clearest expression of community spirit. The gifts serve as spiritual encouragement, helping local residents feel the care and companionship of the community and society during the new year. "Through this campaign, we aim to build a bridge for everyone to have a warm and fulfilling Tet season", she said.

The campaign seeks to spread solidarity, honor regional cultural beauty, and encourage everyone to preserve the identity of Vietnamese Tet. This year, the enterprise expanded the program into a series of nationwide activities, aiming to transform Tet into an occasion for community connection and shared national pride.

Vinh Long and Can Tho are two of 16 localities participating in the campaign's series of activities, which runs from 10/1 to 8/2. To date, the program has reached four provinces and cities: Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Vinh Long, and Can Tho, distributing over 1,800 Tet gift packages. In the coming period, the "Sharing the Taste of Vietnamese Tet - Connecting All Regions" journey will continue to Dong Thap, Dong Nai, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh, bringing the Tet atmosphere closer to residents and spreading the spirit of sharing and reunion in the Binh Ngo new year.

Thai Anh