The rice-offering ritual is held before the village elders judge the winners. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - In the quaint village of Thi Cam in Hanoi’s NamTu Liem district, a culinary tradition unfolds each Lunar New Year.
On the eighth day of the new year, residents gather to participate in a ricecooking contest. This time-honoured event symbolises hope and well-wishes forprosperity and happiness in the whole year.
In a tale steeped in legend, General Phan Cong of the 18th Hung King is said tohave passed through Thi Cam village while leading his country to victoryagainst the Chinese Shu dynasty. In a show of hospitality, the villagersgathered to offer rice to the victorious soldiers.
After his victory, Gen Phan Cong was said to have stayed back in the village,imparting farming knowledge to the locals. In a display of gratitude, each NewYear the villagers hold a rice cooking contest in their communal house, commemoratingthe village's patron saint.
The competition begins with four young men sprinting towards the village'scommunal well to fetch water for their respective teams.
Esteemed village elders are the arbiters of this culinary showdown, evaluatingthe quality of the rice dishes produced by the four competing teams.
Good rice is soft and fragrant. When the pot's cover is lifted, the fragranceof the rice should waft in the air. The process takes about half an hour./.
In the first days of spring, people in Thi Cam village, Hanoi celebrate their traditional rice cooking contest. The custom is aimed at praying for a prosperous, happy and peaceful new year.
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The rice-offering ritual is held before the village elders judge the winners. (Photo: VNA) 
