Scholar Le Quy Don (1726 - 1784) once wrote: "In our country, the most important custom is banh troi nuoc, every year on March 3rd we make that cake.”. Cold Food Festival, a traditional holiday with a strong cultural imprint of the Vietnamese people, is held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month every year. In 2025, Cold Food Festival will fall on March 31st of the Gregorian calendar, the first Monday of the week. This is an occasion for every Vietnamese family to remember their ancestors, express their respect and pray for a peaceful new season and good luck all year round.
Cold Food Festival, a seasonal festival, evokes in the hearts of Vietnamese people a gentle time amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Not as bustling as Lunar New Year, not as bustling as Mid-Autumn Festival, Cold Food comes like a breeze, carrying the breath of the remaining spring, blending with the cool taste of banh troi and banh chay. In the minds of Vietnamese people, it is not only a day to remember ancestors, to express respect to the origin, but also an occasion for people to calm down, to find simple but profound values.
Cold Food Festival (寒食節) is a traditional holiday that takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month every year.
The Cold Food Festival originated in China, associated with the touching story of Jie Zitui's loyalty during the Spring and Autumn period. However, when introduced to Vietnam, this holiday was adapted to suit the culture and beliefs of the Vietnamese people. No longer keeping the custom of abstaining from fire or only eating cold food like in China, the Vietnamese call the Cold Food Festival "Tet banh troi banh chay", with the meaning of showing gratitude to ancestors, praying for fulfillment and purity in life. The round banh troi symbolize heaven and earth, abundance, while banh chay with its soft white crust represents respect and purity.
What does the Cold Food Festival offering tray include?
Preparing the Cold Food Festival offering tray is not only a spiritual ritual but also a way for the family to bond and work together towards good things. No matter how busy you are, you can create a simple but complete offering tray, both preserving tradition and attracting positive energy.
This is an occasion for people to gather together, prepare traditional dishes and perform rituals to commemorate their ancestors.
The main dishes that cannot be missed on the offering tray include banh troi and banh chay, two types of cakes that have the typical flavor of the Cold Food Festival. According to traditional customs, the offering tray must have 3 or 5 plates of banh troi and 3 or 5 bowls of banh chay. Banh troi is made from sticky rice flour kneaded with water, with sugar filling. The best sugar for making banh troi filling is Duong Lieu or Cat Que palm sugar. Banh troi, with a smooth white crust and sweet sugar filling, symbolizes fullness and fulfillment. Banh chay is also made from sticky rice flour kneaded with water and also has a filling, but the filling is cooked mung bean. This type of cake is served in a bowl, with a little sweet tea mixed with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch scented with grapefruit flowers. Banh chay, cool and sweet, represents respect and purity. In addition, betel, areca, incense and fresh fruit are also indispensable items, contributing to creating a solemn and cozy atmosphere for the ceremony.
In all Vietnamese worship ceremonies, incense sticks, fresh flowers, betel and areca nuts and votive paper money are always indispensable offerings. Therefore, during the Cold Food Festival, the homeowner also needs to fully prepare these offerings to show respect and gratitude to the ancestors.
The fresh fruit tray is also an indispensable part of the Cold Food Festival offering tray. Homeowners should choose seasonal fruits with bright colors, symbolizing the five elements and bringing prosperity and luck to the family.
The Vietnamese Cold Food Festival has the meaning of turning to one's roots and ancestors, remembering the merits of the deceased.
Finally, a glass of clean water placed on the altar, whether for Buddha or ancestors, is also an indispensable part. According to Vietnamese beliefs, this glass of water symbolizes the purity and sincerity of the homeowner. It is important to note that when making offerings, the homeowner should use fresh fruit, avoid using fake fruit. Because using fresh fruit not only shows respect for ancestors but also brings good spiritual values to the family.
Every time this Tet comes, each member sits together around the family reunion dinner table.
On this day, Vietnamese families will prepare banh troi and banh chay to worship Buddha, ancestors, and even in many places to worship the local gods, to express their sincerity.
After preparing the offering tray, the homeowner should choose an auspicious time on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month (before 7pm, preferably in the morning) to perform the ceremony. Place the offering tray on the family altar, light incense and read the traditional prayer to invite ancestors and gods to witness. When the incense has burned down to about 2/3, burn the votive paper and prepare the ceremony for the whole family to enjoy the blessings, praying for a peaceful new year.
Cold Food Festival is not only a traditional holiday but also an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural life. Preparing the offering tray is one of the most important activities on this holiday, showing the piety and respect of descendants to their ancestors. In addition, Vietnamese people also have many other activities on Cold Food Festival such as cleaning the house, visiting ancestors' graves and enjoying traditional dishes together. This is an opportunity for family members to gather, share warm moments and strengthen family ties.
