In the midst of the historic August days, when the whole country was bustling in the joyful atmosphere, towards the 80th Anniversary of National Day on September 2, the workshop "Independence Lunch" took place in Hanoi as a delicate bridge connecting the past with the present.
In the cozy space at the restaurant on Nguyen Du Street, the workshop recreates the simple dishes that the people have prepared, welcoming President Ho Chi Minh during the days of staying in Hanoi to prepare for the important moment of the nation. That meal is not high in salary and taste, but contains all the affection, trust and close bond between the beloved leader and the people.
The story began at the end of August 1945 . After years of wandering in the mountains and forests of Viet Bac, Uncle Ho returned to Hanoi. Before the sacred moment of reading the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the person who had three days (from August 23 to 25.) lived and worked at the house of the old lady Nguyen Thi An in Phu Thuong village, a loyal revolutionary facility.
In that small house that warms the person's affection, Mrs. An and her family have cooked dishes with rich Northern and rustic characteristics like the hearts of the people of Hanoi at that time: Brazil potato soup, rustic banana soup, refreshing bean sprouts, and all kinds of garden vegetables. There are meals when the whole family gathers around the hot pot of chicken porridge. These are not just meals to satisfy the heart, but "love meals".
From that profound historical meaning, the restaurant team developed the idea, creating a tray of rice that not only reminds us of the past but also symbolizes the integrity and unity of the nation today.
The meal was like a culinary symphony that had been staged, blending the quintessence of flavors from the North and South. Each dish is not only a recipe, but also the breath, the soul of a land. Attendees not only listen to the story but also directly step into the kitchen, feeling the sophistication in each processing stage.
The menu is cleverly built, so that each guest, no matter where they come from, can find the shade of their homeland. That is the sweet, refreshing taste of the bowl of crab soup with a rich vegetable and shrimp paste from the North. The meal also has a sour, unique flavor of the specialty of Thanh Chuong nhut garlic dish from the Central region. The dish also has the richness and rusticity of the famous Southern cottonpop. All blend together, creating a complete reunion meal, where there is no longer regional distance, only love for the country and national pride remain.
Present at the event as a special guest, journalist Vinh Quyen could not hide her emotions: "Each dish carries a story about culture and history. Through this workshop, once again, I hope to convey those messages so that everyone can understand and love Vietnamese food more".
Writer Phong Diep shared emotionally: This is a very meaningful and warm moment for us to remember the proud days of the nation. The word "Independence" for today's young people may be just a word that has been repeated many times, but to deeply understand the sacrifices of previous generations so that we can have a peaceful day living with our family, with a warm meal, we have to trade it a lot".
Ms. Hanh Pham - founder of Ngon Garden, explained the profound meaning of the three-regional meal: "Our "Independence Tet meal" also carries the meaning of a unified country, everyone shares the joy at a meal together, North - Central - South together. That is the reason why the meal includes dishes from the North, Central region - dishes from Uncle Ho's hometown and dishes from the South".
She believes that recreating the "Independence Lunch" is a deep gratitude to the past, to the blood and bones of our ancestors, and also a reminder to today's generation.
