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The Summer Solstice Festival: A Tasty Treat to Ward Off Insects and Invite Good Fortune.

The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 5th of May in the lunar calendar, is a time-honored tradition that holds great significance in warding off bad luck and bringing families together. An integral part of this festival are the traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations, each with their own unique story to tell.

Administrator

13 July, 2024

The Double Fifth Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated at noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year. It originated in China and is believed to ward off diseases and epidemics that occur during seasonal transitions.

In Vietnam, the Duanwu Festival is colloquially known as “Kill Insects Day.” Simply put, it is a day to catch and destroy pests that harm crops.

It is also a day for family reunions, and distant relatives return home to gather for a feast. Therefore, during the Duanwu Festival, people often eat foods that are believed to ward off evil and illness.

Here are some traditional dishes enjoyed during the festival:

1Rice Wine

Rice Wine

This is an indispensable dish during the Duanwu Festival in all three regions of Vietnam, according to folk beliefs. The strong flavor of glutinous rice combined with the spicy kick of wine is believed to eliminate harmful parasites from the body.

On the morning of the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, each family member consumes a small amount of rice wine, believing that it will ward off illnesses.

Rice wine can be made from various types of glutinous rice, such as black glutinous rice, brown glutinous rice, or red glutinous rice, depending on family preferences. However, each region has its unique preparation methods and serving styles. In Northern Vietnam, the rice is left as separate grains, while in Central Vietnam, it is pressed into blocks, and in the South, it is shaped into round balls.

2Bánh Ú (Tro Water Cake)

Bánh Ú (Tro Water Cake)

Bánh Ú is a traditional dish in Southern Vietnam during the Duanwu Festival and is similar to bánh gio from Northern Vietnam. The cake is cone-shaped and wrapped in banana or dong leaves, with glutinous rice and mung bean paste as fillings.

The cake is meticulously prepared to create fragrant packages for everyone to enjoy. The fifth day of the fifth lunar month also marks the arrival of summer, making it an ideal time to savor this sweet, cool, and rustic treat.

3Chè Trôi Nước (Floating Rice Dumplings)

Chè Trôi Nước (Floating Rice Dumplings)

This dish is very popular in Southern Vietnam and is also commonly eaten during the Duanwu Festival there. It is made from dough and mung bean paste, with the dough kneaded until soft and then shaped into small balls. A small amount of dough is flattened in the palm, and a mung bean paste filling is placed in the center before being rolled into a ball. A little ginger is added while cooking to give the dessert a warm, spicy aroma, and it is served with coconut milk.

The creamy and sweet taste of the dumplings blends beautifully with the warm spice of ginger in the syrup, along with the fragrant sesame seeds and peanuts sprinkled on top.

4Duck Meat

Duck Meat

Duck dishes such as grilled duck, roasted duck, and duck porridge are favorites among the people of Central Vietnam during this festival. According to ancient customs, the hot weather in the fifth lunar month calls for cooling and nourishing foods, making duck meat an ideal choice.

Additionally, this is the time when ducks are at their fattest and most flavorful, without any unpleasant odors. As a result, duck meat has become an integral part of the Duanwu Festival, with each family preparing it according to their preferences.

5Millet Porridge

Millet Porridge

This is a signature dish of Hue during the Duanwu Festival, typically served with sesame rice crackers. Instead of using a spoon, people often eat this porridge by scooping it up with the rice crackers. The crispness of the crackers quickly blends with the sweetness of the syrup, the chewy texture of the millet, and the subtle fragrance of fresh ginger, making this dish all the more enticing.

Millet porridge is believed to replenish blood and qi, providing a cooling and refreshing effect, which is perfect for the hot summer weather.

6Bánh Khúc (Khuc Cake)

Bánh Khúc (Khuc Cake)

Bánh Khúc is a specialty of the Nung ethnic group, made from high-quality glutinous rice, Khuc leaves, mung beans, and black sesame seeds. It can be steamed or fried, but the most appealing method is to pan-fry it in oil. At this stage, the cakes puff up, becoming shiny and translucent, exuding the fragrance of Khuc leaves, mung beans, and scallions, with a hint of fatty pork.

7Bánh Gio (Gio Cake)

Bánh Gio (Gio Cake)

This is a traditional dish in Northern Vietnam during the Duanwu Festival, known as bánh ú nước tro in Southern Vietnam. The cake has a subtle, pungent flavor from the wood ash water used in its preparation, resulting in a clear brown color. It is typically dipped in sweet molasses, creating a simple yet memorable treat.

Many believe that eating bánh gio with molasses on the Duanwu Festival will ward off all illnesses, which is why it is so popular in Northern Vietnam during this festival.

8Fruits

A tray of fruits offered to the ancestors is a must during the Duanwu Festival. It is customary to choose fruits such as lychees, plums, mangoes, and watermelons. This practice not only expresses the hope of eradicating diseases but also symbolizes the desire for a bountiful harvest and prosperity.

Reference: Duanwu Festival offerings – the most comprehensive guide for 2022

The dishes mentioned above are some of the most popular ones during the Duanwu Festival in the three regions of Vietnam, each carrying its own significance and enjoyed by families on this special day.

Frequently asked questions

The Summer Solstice Festival is an annual event that celebrates the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time when people come together to enjoy the outdoors, participate in traditional activities, and welcome the warmth and vitality of the summer season.

Traditional activities associated with the Summer Solstice Festival vary across different cultures but often include bonfires, maypole dancing, feasting, and herbal bathing. People also decorate their homes with summer flowers and hang garlands to welcome positive energy and good fortune.

According to traditional beliefs, the Summer Solstice is a time when insects, especially mosquitoes, are most active. To ward off these pests and create a pleasant outdoor experience, people prepare special treats during the festival. These treats are believed to have insect-repelling properties and are often made with natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and peppermint.

Some delicious and effective insect-repelling treats include citronella candles, which are both decorative and functional, as well as herbal sweets and drinks infused with lemongrass and peppermint. These natural ingredients not only keep insects at bay but also provide a refreshing and invigorating experience during the summer festivities.

Yes, the traditions and practices of the Summer Solstice Festival are believed to bring good fortune and positive energy. The act of decorating homes with summer flowers and hanging garlands is thought to invite prosperity and happiness into people’s lives. Additionally, the focus on natural remedies and herbal traditions promotes a connection to nature and a sense of community during the celebrations.