Corinne Vetter, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland in HCM City and her husband try nhảy sạp (bamboo dancing). Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

HCM CITY – Foreign diplomats and business executives based in HCM City on Sunday gathered for a celebration of Tết (Lunar New Year) at District 1-based Ann Quán.

The diplomats and their spouses, all in áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress), experienced Việt Nam’s traditional activities of Tết such as making bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) and asking for Vietnamese calligraphy, at the event.

They also participated in folk games such as nhảy sạp (bamboo dancing), bịt mắt đập niêu (smashing a clay pot while being blindfolded), and đi cà kheo (walking on stilts).

Traditional Vietnamese Tết dishes like bánh chưng, nem rán (fried spring rolls), thịt kho trứng (caramelised braised pork and eggs, canh măng (bamboo shoot soup), and dưa hành (pickled welsh onion) were also featured.

In addition, the event showcased a mini áo dài collection by designer Vũ Thu Phương to introduce the history and beauty of Vietnamese traditional dress to international guests.

Nubiela Ayala Modes, Deputy Consul General of Panama in HCM City, and her husband; Enrico Padula, Italian Consul General in HCM City, and his wife; VIFW Chairwoman Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang; Corinne Vetter, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland in HCM City and her husband; and Michele D'Ercole, Chairman of Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, (L to R) in áo dài to celebrate Tết. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Italian Consul General in HCM City Enrico Padula shared that he was overwhelmed. He was in áo dài, learned to make bánh chưng, and enjoyed traditional Vietnamese Tết feast.

Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, chairwoman of Việt Nam International Fashion Week (VIFW), and host of the event, said, “To Vietnamese people, Tết is a scared and important time, so I want the celebration to be an opportunity for expatriates to discover Vietnamese tradition and culture in hope of having a happy and prosperous year.” — VNS

Nubiela Ayala Modes, Deputy Consul General of Panama in HCM City, and her husband play bịt mắt đập niêu (smashing a clay pot while being blindfolded). Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC