Exciting rice cooking contest in Hanoi
(VOV) - Thi Cam villagers in Xuan Phuong commune of Hanoi’s Tu Liem district gathered at the communal house on the 8th day of the first lunar month to take part in the traditional rice cooking contest.
The festival commemorated Phan Tay Nhac, General of the 18th Hung King. Legend has it that one day Nhac led his guerrilla soldiers past Thi Cam village to chase away Chinese Shu invaders. Local villagers asked him to join the force.
The General decided to host a rice cooking contest to select a good chef. After he died, he was honoured as the village’s god.
During the contest, competitors of four groups had to husk rice, fetch water, make fire, and cook rice. A jury comprised of respected village chiefs selected the winners of the contest.
 |
| Preparations begin early in the morning |
 |
 |
 |
| The contest begins at 11am |
 |
 |
| Grinding grains |
 |
 |
 |
| Women skillfully cook rice |
 |
| The rice pots are kept inside burning straw |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The pots are submitted to the jury |
 |
 |
 |
| After the contest, villagers taste the rice and pray for a happy and peaceful new year |
 |