That Tich Day (July 7th of the lunar calendar) is called Ngau Tet, also known as Mr. Ngau - Mrs. Ngau day. That Tich is not only associated with the legend of Nguu Lang and Chuc Nu in China, but is also considered Valentine's Day in many Asian countries.
In China, That Tich is called the Khac Xao ceremony. On this occasion, women will pray for skillful hands, display handicrafts with the hope of marrying a good husband. Also on That Tich day, Chinese people will use heart-shaped persimmon seeds to form a ring, stringed into a chain, praying for smooth love affairs.
However, when imported into Vietnam a long time ago, hong dau beans were mistaken for red beans. Since then, Vietnamese youth have responded to the trend of eating red bean sweet soup on July 7th of the lunar calendar to pray for finding a suitable other half. For couples, red bean sweet soup is said to help strengthen and stabilize feelings.
This year, That Tich festival falls on August 19th of the Gregorian calendar. For many young people, especially singles, eating red bean sweet soup has become an interesting activity every occasion, both to meet friends and to send wishes about love affairs.
Ms. Le Ngoc Thuy Linh (Hanoi) said that this is the 7th consecutive year she has eaten red bean sweet soup on That Tich day. After many years, she still has no boyfriend but still maintains this habit.
“Initially, I ate because I saw people inviting each other to eat, then it became a habit. Every year I tell myself maybe this year I will have a boyfriend, but until now I still haven't seen him. Even so, I still eat because I feel happy and consider this as a wish for my love life,” Ms. Thuy Linh shared.
Not putting too much emphasis on eating sweet soup as having a lover, Ms. Nguyen Minh Anh (24 years old, Phu Tho) believes that this is a fun trend that young people can participate in to create more memories.
This year, I and some friends invited each other to eat sweet soup. Everyone is single, so we both ate and teased each other to see if anyone would escape being single next year. I don't think eating sweet soup will decide love affairs, but I still want to try it for fun," Ms. Minh Anh said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dinh Xuan Hiep (31 years old, Lang Son) already has a girlfriend but still goes out with his girlfriend to eat red bean sweet soup. For Mr. Hiep, That Tich day is an opportunity for the two to spend more time together.
We don't pay too much attention to whether red bean sweet soup brings good luck or not. It's mainly about having another chance to eat and hang out together. If according to this concept, eating red bean sweet soup helps strengthen feelings, it's even happier," Mr. Hiep shared.
Not only single people, many couples also choose to eat red bean sweet soup as a way to celebrate That Tich Day. Although not focusing on "eating sweet soup to escape singleness", for many young people, this is still an opportunity to meet friends, date and send good wishes in love affairs.
