What are the sample explanatory essays on traditional dishes for the Lunar New Year 2025? What are the 04 requirements for assessing 9th-grade students in Vietnam?

Sample explanatory essays on traditional dishes for the Lunar New Year 2025

Sample 1

Banh Chung (Chung cake)

Banh Chung, a dish that has been associated with the Lunar New Year for generations, is not only a simple dish but also carries profound meanings of culture and family sentiment.

The ingredients for making Banh Chung are very simple, mainly consisting of sticky rice, green beans, pork belly, and dong leaves. However, to make a delicious Banh Chung, the maker must prepare very thoroughly from selecting ingredients to wrapping and boiling stages. Sticky rice must be chosen for round, plump, fragrant grains. Green beans must be shelled, cleaned, and soaked with rice. Pork belly should be fatty to make the cake rich. Dong leaves must be fresh, without pests.

The process of making Banh Chung is quite elaborate. The soaked rice and green beans are mixed well together. Pork belly is boiled until cooked and then sliced into bite-sized pieces. People use dong leaves to wrap layers of rice, beans, and meat together into a square or round shape. Then, the cake is placed in a pot and boiled for many hours.

The aroma of dong leaves blended with the sweetness of sticky rice and the richness of pork belly creates the characteristic flavor of Banh Chung. When the cake is cooked, it is removed to cool and then cut into neat pieces. Banh Chung is often served with braised pork, pickled onions, gio lua (Vietnamese sausage) creating a rich, unforgettable flavor.

Banh Chung is not only a delicious dish but also carries cultural significance. The square shape of Banh Chung symbolizes the earth, the green color of dong leaves represents the sky, and the rice grain stands for abundance. The wrapping of Banh Chung has become a communal activity, enhancing family bonds.

Today, despite many changes in modern life, Banh Chung still holds a special place in the hearts of every Vietnamese. This dish is not only a symbol of the Lunar New Year but also of Vietnamese culinary culture.

Sample 2

Xoi Gac (Gac Sticky Rice)

Xoi Gac, with its vibrant red color, is one of the indispensable dishes on the Tet feast of the Vietnamese people. Not only visually appealing, Xoi Gac also carries the meaning of wishing for luck and prosperity for the new year.

Gac fruit, with a hard outer shell and deep red flesh rich in vitamin A, is the main ingredient that gives the sticky rice its eye-catching color. The sticky rice is carefully selected, usually glutinous rice or hoa vang glutinous rice, to produce sticky, fragrant grains. Additionally, depending on each family’s taste, a little salt, sugar, or shredded coconut can be added to enhance the flavor.

To make Xoi Gac, first, ripe Gac fruit is separated from its seeds, then mashed to extract the red flesh. The cleaned sticky rice is then mixed thoroughly with the Gac flesh. This mixture is then steamed until cooked. When done, the grains of sticky rice are shiny, bright red, exuding a characteristic aroma.

Xoi Gac is often served with braised pork, gio lua, or simply sprinkled with some shredded coconut on top. The mild sweetness of the sticky rice blends with the richness of coconut, creating an unforgettable taste.

The red color of Xoi Gac symbolizes luck and prosperity. Hence, during Tet, people often prepare a plate of Xoi Gac to place on the ancestral altar wishing for a peaceful and happy new year.

Xoi Gac is not only a delicious dish but also has deep cultural significance. It is an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese, especially during the Lunar New Year.

Sample 3

Thit Kho Tau (Braised Pork with Eggs)

Thit Kho Tau, a familiar and close dish in every Vietnamese family, especially during the Lunar New Year. Its rich flavor and attractive appearance have become an indispensable symbol on the Tet dining table.

The main ingredients for making Thit Kho Tau include pork belly, quail eggs, coconut water, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, onion, garlic. The pork belly chosen should have both lean and fat so that when braised, the meat will be tender and rich. Quail eggs are usually boiled before being braised with the meat. Coconut water is the ingredient that creates a distinct sweet flavor for the dish.

To make Thit Kho Tau, pork belly is cut into bite-sized pieces, marinated with spices such as fish sauce, sugar, pepper, minced onion, and garlic. Afterward, the meat is placed in a pot with quail eggs and coconut water, simmered until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.

The dish has a beautiful amber-brown color, tender meat soaked with spices, quail eggs cooked to perfection. The aroma of braised pork mixed with the sweetness of coconut water creates an unforgettable taste. Thit Kho Tau is often served with white rice, pickled onions, and eggplant.

Thit Kho Tau is not only a delicious dish but also carries profound meanings. The amber-brown color of the braised pork symbolizes warmth and family unity. The sweetness of the dish represents a full and happy life.

During Tet, the family dining table cannot be without Thit Kho Tau. The aroma of braised pork fills the house, creating a cozy and united atmosphere. This dish is not just food but also a bond that connects family members.