Tyrina is a Korean blogger who specializes in travel content and long-term experiences in different countries. She came to Vietnam in November this year and lived in Ho Chi Minh City for a month, immersing herself in the local life.
Accepting an invitation to attend a friend's ancestral worship ceremony, Tyrina shared her special experience on her personal page.
"My friend said that Vietnamese people celebrate death anniversaries many times a year. At that time, family members will gather together, eat and chat. My friend said that the rituals have been simplified a lot in modern times. This is also an opportunity for family members to be together and bond more," Tyrina wrote.
According to Tyrina's friend, the family's offering tray used to only have basic dishes like rice, white salt, fruit, wine... But now it has gradually changed, switching to cooking dishes that the family loves.
"The family cooked the deceased grandfather's favorite dishes. In Korea, people usually cook chicken or pork to put on the ancestral altar, but my friend's family's memorial service also included roast duck, so I was quite surprised," she said.
Tyrina shared that she was very impressed with the Vietnamese culture of ancestor worship. In Korea, the difference is that there are not many death anniversaries, only about 2-3 occasions per year.
She observed that Vietnamese people hold death anniversaries not only to pray for the deceased, but also to bring family members closer together.
At first, the female tourist thought the meal would take place in a formal atmosphere, but everyone in the house was happy and chatting animatedly, so she was very happy to be able to experience this event.
"I have eaten many dishes in Vietnam, but homemade spring rolls have their own appeal. The spring rolls made by my friend's aunt are delicious, with vegetables, meat, and pork skin inside," Tyrina added.
