Vietnamese dining trays: Glimpse into Vietnamese Family Tradition of Sharing

Hart Selection of Vietnamese Antique Food and Rice Trays.

A Communal Tradition Connecting Generations and Nurturing Togetherness.

"Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old but of the Natural."

In Vietnamese Tribal Culture, you can’t see the common table to serve meals. All dishes are presented in a Tray for the whole Family to enjoy. The wooden round Tray is usually made of a jackfruit tree. At the beginning or end of a family meal, kids often hear adults reminding them: "Put the Tray out, Son!" or: "Done, take the Tray, Son!". The Tray is so familiar that it replaces a meal in its calling.

Grandparents, parents, and children sit around a Round Tray, eat and talk about work and life, and share food and the joys of a day. Eating the same Tray is also a subtle way for each family member to understand each other's tastes and respect each other more. When someone at home cannot come home to have a meal, the rice soup and food must also be served on a Tray, placed on the table and carefully covered with a cage. The image of a Tray of Rice reflects Wealth and Poverty and shows the Culture in the Life of each Family.

Hart Selection. The Antique Rice Tray.

"The Elders taught me to go to the Tray and the bowl, so the dish must be placed on the Tray," said the Mother. The act of sharing food from a Communal Tay fosters a sense of Unity and Togetherness, reinforcing the importance of Family and Community Bonds.

There are two types of Trays Tribal People use: The Rice trays and The Food Trays. Food Trays are an important part of Vietnamese Tribal Culture. They are used to preserve, dry and cut food, and they are also used to prepare traditional dishes for communal gatherings and festivals.

Hart Selection. The Antique Food Tray.

The Tray is simple but extremely closely associated with Family Life and there is something captivating about objects that have stood the test of time, carrying with them the stories and memories of generations past. Vietnamese Food and Rice Trays, with their rustic charm and timeless elegance, are no exception. These Trays are not just ordinary serving platters; they are a reflection of Vietnam's Rich Cultural Heritage and the Artistry of its People. Hung on walls or displayed on tables, these Trays become works of art that captivate the imagination and transport you to a World of Timeless Treasures.

Photos

Olka Ivanova https://www.facebook.com/olga.ivanova.9674