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For group members, wrapping banh chung is not merely about preparing a traditional Tet dish; it is also a way to safeguard cultural memories, nurture affection for the homeland, and pass on Vietnamese customs and traditions to younger generations born and raised in Australia. Throughout the preparation and wrapping process, stories of the traditional Tet holiday, the homeland, family, and childhood memories in Vietnam are recalled, helping to create a community space imbued with a strong Vietnamese cultural identity.

Pham My Tuu (84 years old) has devoted many years to participating in the group’s activities with the hope of passing down traditional cultural values to younger generations. According to him, although he has lived in Australia for many years, his longing for his homeland becomes more profound every Lunar New Year. Wrapping banh chung with the community helps ease that homesickness while reminding younger family members of the meaning of the traditional Tet, guided by the belief that “without banh chung, there is no Tet.”

Vietnamese-origin children in Australia eagerly and enthusiastically learn to wrap banh chung under the guidance of their grandparents and parents. (Photo: VNA)

The banh chung-wrapping activity also carries clear educational value for young Vietnamese people in Australia. Many children are participating directly in the preparation and wrapping stages for the first time, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the legend of banh chung and banh day, Tet customs, and the nation’s traditional cultural values. This is considered a vivid form of education that helps raise awareness among the younger generation about preserving the Vietnamese language, customs, and cultural identity in a multicultural environment.

Ngo Thi Bich Thu, a group member, said that every year she brings her children to take part in wrapping bánh chưng. According to her, this practical activity helps children better understand traditional culture, enhance their Vietnamese language skills, and strengthen their bonds with the local Vietnamese community.

Henry Tran, currently an eighth-grade student, expressed his excitement at being guided by his grandparents and mother in wrapping banh chung. He said that through the stories he has heard, he has gained a better understanding of Vietnamese Tet customs and hopes to have the opportunity to celebrate Tet in Vietnam in the future.

A distinctive feature of the “New Sunlight for Children” group is its integration of cultural preservation with charitable programs directed toward the homeland. The banh chung made by the group are used in fundraising activities to support disadvantaged children in Vietnam, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and mutual support within the overseas Vietnamese community.

The banh chung made by the group are used in fundraising activities to support disadvantaged children in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

According to Hoang Thi Khanh, a member of the Organizing Committee, since its establishment in 2015, the group has raised 107,910 AUD (approximately USD 75,000) to award 709 scholarships to disadvantaged children in many localities across Vietnam, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas and regions affected by natural disasters. In addition, the group has supported charitable programs and organizations such as “Meals with Meat,” assistance for orphans at Buu Chau Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City), the Blue Dragon Children Foundation, and the Cao Bang Social Protection Center.

In 2026, “New Sunlight for Children” plans to continue its annual activities, expand fundraising initiatives, and strengthen cooperation with charitable organizations in order to make even more practical contributions to communities back home.

Through these concrete activities, the Vietnamese community in Australia not only helps preserve national cultural identity but also demonstrates social responsibility and deep affection for the homeland. The banh chung pots prepared during Tet thus become symbols of connection, sharing, and the continuation of Vietnamese cultural values far from the motherland.

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