H’Hen Niê, Miss Universe Vietnam, recently harvested some large cucumbers from her garden in the Central Highlands. Even the unripe cucumbers she picked were much larger than the average variety.

Watch the clip of H’Hen Niê picking cucumbers to make a dish for her family.

The beauty queen’s family gathered around a bowl of freshly picked cucumbers. Many commented that they would taste delicious with rice.

H’Hen Niê shared that she would make a cucumber salad, and her harvest certainly impressed. Many commented that the dish would be “delicious” with rice.

The beauty queen couldn’t resist tasting the cucumbers right there in the field. She described the fruit as incredibly sweet and tasty.

“The yellow ones are bitter melons, and the small ones I ate are called ‘ethnic minority cucumbers,’ which are similar to regular cucumbers but larger,” H’Hen Niê explained.

Even before making the salad, her family enjoyed the fresh cucumbers. Her father, despite scolding her for picking unripe fruit, couldn’t resist joining in. “Look, Dad’s eating the unripe ones, too. They look so tasty,” H’Hen Niê joked.

For the salad, the 29-year-old beauty queen explained that her family would gather at her house to prepare and enjoy the dish together.

They started by peeling and slicing the cucumbers into thin, even pieces.

H’Hen Niê’s cucumber salad had a unique recipe, but the ingredients were easily accessible. She combined shallots, sugar, salt, a little MSG, sawtooth herb, wild betel leaf, and lots of chili peppers in a mortar and pestle.

Once the ingredients were crushed, she added some lime juice and mixed the seasoning with the cucumbers.

H’Hen Niê’s family and relatives gathered to enjoy the dish together. The beauty queen expressed her joy, saying, “I love these moments when we all eat together. It’s so heartwarming.”

She shared, “I love coming home and spending time with my aunts, doing something together, chatting, and hearing about their work in the fields and any interesting stories from the village.”

Frequently asked questions

The feast is called ‘Cỗ’, a traditional Vietnamese family banquet, and it is an integral part of Vietnamese culture and hospitality. ‘Cỗ’ is usually prepared for special occasions and involves an elaborate spread of dishes, each with symbolic meanings, showcasing the host’s respect and generosity.

The beauty queen referenced is Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên, who was crowned Miss Grand International 2021. She is a Vietnamese advocate for cultural heritage and uses her platform to promote traditional Vietnamese values and cuisine. In the article, she shares her family’s humble ‘Cỗ’ feast, a celebration of their cultural roots.

The feast includes a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as ‘Bánh Chưng’ (sticky rice dumplings), ‘Thịt Đông’ (cold cut pork belly), ‘Chả Quế’ (cinnamon pork sausage), and ‘Dưa Món’ (pickled vegetables). Each dish holds symbolic significance, with ‘Bánh Chưng’, for example, representing the earth, and ‘Thịt Đông’ symbolizing prosperity and abundance.

Preserving and promoting traditional feasts like ‘Cỗ’ is crucial for maintaining Vietnam’s cultural heritage and identity. It ensures that the traditions and values are passed down to younger generations, fostering a sense of community and connection to their roots. Additionally, promoting traditional cuisine internationally, as Thùy Tiên has done, can attract cultural and culinary tourism, benefiting the local economy.

With the increasing globalization of cuisine, people worldwide can now access authentic Vietnamese ingredients and recipes. Online resources, including food blogs and cooking channels, offer step-by-step guides to preparing traditional Vietnamese dishes. Additionally, seeking out Vietnamese cultural events and festivals in one’s community can provide opportunities to experience and appreciate the richness of Vietnamese culinary traditions, including the art of preparing and sharing a ‘Cỗ’ feast.
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