Philip Nguyen of NorCal UVSA reads “The Legend of Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày,” the first story in Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories. Stay after to enjoy a conversation about Tết traditions, customs, and superstitions with author Trần Thị Minh Phước
Why are such traditions so strong and enduring? I believe it is because the stories that explain traditions and beliefs have temendous power to stir the imagination and touch the heart in ways that last forever.
Learn more about Trần Thị Minh Phước.
Learn how to make bánh tét (a South and Central Vietnam rice cake similar to bánh chưng) from Eating Saigon! with Chef Hai and Joe.
Do you know why southern Vietnamese people make bánh tét on the Lunar New Year?
There were many stories passed down answering that question. Here is one story Chef Hai really likes:
In 1788, when the Le dynasty was almost destroyed, King Le Chieu Thong wanted to keep the power. He had to resort to requesting the help of the Thanh dynasty from China. Because of that request, the army of the Thanh arrived in Vietnam and made Vietnamese lives more miserable. [READ MORE]
After watching, download the recipe to make this delicious traditional treat at home!
Content created in partnership with Eating Saigon!
Follow Hai & Joe on Facebook & Instagram @EatingSaigon
Visit www.eatingsaigon.com to order delicious meals to go and read other wonderful stories.
Learn how local Bay Area Vietnamese American families celebrate Tết with Oakland Tech and Alameda High School Vietnamese Student Associations!
Follow Oakland Tech High School’s VSA on Instagram: @oths.vsa
Follow Alameda High School’s VSA on Instagram: @ahs.vsa
Watch a playlist of traditional and modern Vietnamese fan and hat dances performed and curated by members of NorCal UVSA!
UNAVSA x VAR | Áo Dài Competition for COVID Education
The Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations (UNAVSA) has partnered with the Vietnamese American Roundtable to sponsor a video competition open for submissions from individuals and organizations across the UNAVSA network, inclusive of collegiate and high school Vietnamese Student Associations, to participate as a part of organizational outreach and education efforts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted the Vietnamese American community. With the rate of new coronavirus cases drastically rising across the diasporic Vietnamese community during the 2021 Lunar New Year, the UNAVSA x VAR Áo Dài Competition will aim to educate our broader Vietnamese community about COVID-19 while highlighting Vietnamese culture, heritage, and tradition.
Visit here to learn how to compete!
Enjoy additional content:
- Vietnam Lottie coloring sheet
- “Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories” Coloring Pages
- Vietnam Zodiac Coloring Pages
- Lucky Red Envelope activity
