To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), many women have created symbolic “patriotic feasts,” decorating their homes in vibrant red and yellow to express their love for the country through simple, heartfelt gestures.

A feast in the colors of the national flag

Vu Thu Huong, a culinary enthusiast from Hanoi, poured her heart into preparing a uniquely patriotic feast centered on red and yellow tones. For her, cooking is more than a hobby – it's a way to express national pride and deep affection for her homeland.

“This idea came from a desire to incorporate national pride into every dish. Red represents love for the homeland and passion, while yellow symbolizes prosperity and warmth,” she said.

“I want the feast to evoke the joy of family reunion while awakening a sense of patriotism.”

Huong's feast includes both savory and sweet dishes, carefully arranged for visual and symbolic harmony.

The savory portion features a range of items: boiled chicken shaped like a phoenix holding a red rose in its beak – symbolizing nobility and eternal love; red gac sticky rice styled as the Vietnamese flag; and coconut-steamed shrimp and crab, capturing the flavors of the homeland.

The sweet offerings are equally symbolic: mooncakes shaped like the map of Vietnam (which she calls “peace cakes”), red and yellow xu xê cakes, patriotic jelly, and caramel custard, all staying true to the national color scheme.

Huong also crafted a flower arrangement in the shape of the Vietnamese flag.

She spent more than a day preparing the entire feast from scratch.

“When I finished assembling it and saw the image of the flag appear, I was truly moved. This wasn’t just about food – it was about pride, gratitude for our ancestors, and love for the nation,” she shared.

“I want to remind people that patriotism doesn’t have to be grand. It can be shown in the simplest things – even in the kitchen. Women can pass on national pride to their families and children through daily life,” she added.

Red flag-shaped xu xê cakes

Do Thu Ngoc, a 35-year-old teacher in Hanoi, also takes great joy in preparing creative family meals. To mark National Day, she expressed her patriotism through a beautifully arranged ceremonial offering.

Her offering, shared online, quickly garnered praise. It included mooncakes shaped like the country, red gac sticky rice adorned with a yellow five-point star, patriotic xu xê cakes, red persimmons, and fragrant round fruits like thị (Vietnamese gold apple).

Speaking about her red-and-yellow xu xê cake, Ngoc said: “At first I tried to mold the star with mung bean filling, but it didn’t stand out. So I made a star-shaped decal and placed it on the outside. When I saw the flag appear on a traditional cake, I was overwhelmed.”

“Patriotism can be expressed through simple acts and familiar traditions – as long as they come from the heart,” she reflected.

Homes decorated in red and gold

Many families have decorated their homes to express their patriotism. Mai Thi Lan Phuong from Hanoi and her family turned a corner of their home into a “patriotic nook,” featuring a heart-shaped bouquet of red roses with a golden star in the center.

Phuong said it took the family 3–4 hours to complete, with the flower arrangement being the most challenging part. “That day, our foster parents came to visit, so they helped too. It became a joyful family activity, filled with national pride,” she recalled.

“Even small gestures like these can be deeply touching and bring people closer. If every home had a patriotic corner – a lotus flower, a painting of the homeland – our collective joy would shine even brighter,” she said.