“Learning about Vietnam” programme held for foreign diplomats
	US Ambassador finds Vietnamese thousand years of knowledge in Chung cake
	2000 Chung cakes made for poor people ahead of Tet

On January 12, the Department of External Culture and UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and ASEAN Women Circle of Hanoi (AWCH) organized the first activity called “Vietnamese New Year customs” in a series of activities to learn about Vietnamese culture.

At the event, diplomats were introduced the legend of Chung cake and Day cake, learning about some traditions of Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Especially, diplomats were very excited to join in the contest “Making Chung cake” with the locals.

In 2020, Vietnam assumes “dual” role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and ASEAN Chairmanship. This event is one of cultural exchange activities to start the ASEAN Year 2020.

For the first time knowing the processes to make a Chung cake, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said that for him, the stages of making Chung cake are extremely complicated. However, under the enthusiastic guidance of artisans, he completed the making of a Chung cake.

Diplomats excitedly make Day cakes with the guidance of the local artisans.

International diplomats were interested in the unique customs of Vietnamese New Year, especially the traditional dishes of Vietnamese people. They said that the event is an interesting experience to help them better understand the country and people of Vietnam.

(Photo: The World and Vietnam report)