During the plenary session of the ASEAN Spouses Association in Washington D.C. (ASC), on January 26, the Vietnamese Spouses' Association introduced to ASEAN friends the Vietnamese Traditional Tet and the legend of Chung Cake.

Ambassadors' wives and diplomats from ASEAN countries were excited to participate in the practice of wrapping Chung Cake.

Sharing with a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency in Washington D.C., Lakavanh, Head of the Political Department of the Lao Embassy in the US, said: "I see Vietnamese people wrapping Chung Cake very beautifully, but for me, this is very difficult.”

ASC member of the Singapore Embassy in the US with the banh chung product he wrapped. (Photo: Kieu Trang/TTXVN)

Methawee Sangchai, from the Thai Embassy in the US, said: "The ingredients for making this dish are quite similar to traditional Thai cakes, and the cuisine of ASEAN countries is quite similar. I feel very impressed to participate in wrapping Chung Cake today since I have never experienced something like this in Thailand.”

According to Tran Thi Bich Van, president of ASC 2024, the event was part of a program to promote the Vietnamese culture to ASEAN and international friends in the host country.

The ASC operates to affirm the bloc's identity for each ASEAN member nation while strengthening solidarity and friendship among members, focusing on socio-cultural development, and enhancing understanding between ASEAN members with international friends in the US.

Van said that the ASC has always promoted Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and traditional handicraft villages to American and international friends as well as coordinating several events to strengthen friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding among the ASEAN member nations including the ASEAN Family Day, ASEAN Cultural Day and the ASEAN Fair.

After the outbreak of COVID-19, ASC began operating in January 2023 with many separate and joint activities to promote the culture of each country.

ASC members in Washington D.C. taking photos at the first meeting in 2024. (Photo: Kieu Trang/VNA)

In addition, the Vietnamese spouses association in Washington D.C. has supported foreign affairs activities of the Vietnamese embassy and representative agencies in the US. The association has always striven to promote the roles of each spouse and enhance the image of Vietnam with local and international friends, Van added.

As Chair of ASC 2024, several cultural promotion activities through cuisine, traditional Ao Dai fashion shows, the introduction of unique customs, and the beauty of craft villages and traditional products are expected to win the hearts of spectators.