Hanshi – Cold Food Festival
“Tết Hàn thực” or Hanshi Festival, is literally “Cold Food Festival” which falls on the 3rd of March in Lunar Calendar. This is a traditional festival in some Asian countries such as China, Vietnam and also celebrated in some Chinatowns all across the world.
During this occasion, bánh trôi – Vietnamese floating cake, a traditional cake made of rice flour, mixed with water, sometimes extracted from grapefruit flowers, rock sugar, scraped coconut, sesame, and stuffed with grounded mung bean as a core, is displayed and offered to our ancestors and Buddha. Instead of using its real name “Tết Hàn Thực”, Vietnamese regularly regard it as “Tết Bánh Trôi”, as mentioned above. The festival is still maintained widely in most of the cities in Northern Vietnam, especially in Hanoi and its surrounding provinces.
Nevertheless, bánh trôi is not the only thing to be seen. Incenses, flowers, betel, and areca are also displayed on a tray, along with 3 to 5 small bowls of bánh trôi.
Rarely do most of the citizens in the two countries nowadays have any idea about the story behind their event.
Legend has it that, during the Spring and Autumn Period in Ancient China, King Chong’er of the State of Jin, on his way to flee from the kingdom as a result of civil war, fell into starvation due to the lack of living conditions. Jie Zitui, who followed him throughout 19 years, cut off the flesh from his thigh and offered it to the King. Unfortunately, when Chong’er became the King, he ordered a search for Jie Zitui who had been hiding in the remote forest and turned down the invitation. King Chong’er set the whole forest on fire in order to force Jie to come out. However, the fire ended up with the death of Jie. Filled with regret, King Chong’er requested that every year when it comes to the 3rd of March, all forms of using fire are forbidden and that all food would be consumed cold. The Festival, from then on, is so-named.
If you want to see the process of making Vietnamese Floating Cake during this Festival, please watch our video below:
https://youtu.be/BVgBeJShVRI
Video editor: Son Nguyen; Video shooter and Scriptwriter: Chi Le
I love the story behind this traditional festival, and i’m even happier that this tradition has been maintained through such a long period. I have to find a way to experience this festival once in my life.
I like Banh Troi. And it reminds me of a poem. Thanks for your post.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard about the story behind the Cold Food Festival. It’s a meaningful festival indeed. Thanks for your information!