VietNamNet Bridge – They have a lot of money but do not have time to prepare the feast for their ancestors and for the Kitchen Gods, so they hire others to do it.

On the morning of February 11, the Day of the Kitchen God, the family of Ngo Van Ba in the village of Dich Vong Hau, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, was very busy cooking steamed sticky rice, boiling chicken and other dishes for customers.

Ba said he had orders from 20 customers so his family members had to get up at 2am to prepare the feast. Each meal is priced from VND1-3 million ($50-$150). He had to hire a total of 60 workers.

Reporters followed Ba’s workers to transport the feast for a family living in the luxury apartment building of Chelsea Park in Yen Hoa, Cau Giay, the reporter was surprised to see only a maid and a shaman there.

According to the man, the house owners were on an overseas business trip, so she was assigned to take care of the Kitchen God rituals.

"Buying" Tet for kids

This is the second year Ms. Hong Lan in Cau Giay District, Hanoi hired a worker to make banh chung at home. Lan said previously she bought banh chung but last year she discovered the banh chung service.

"I’ve hired a worker to make banh chung at home so my two children can see how the traditional cakes are made,” Lan said.

She said the cost for this special service is up to VND10 million/10 banh chung. Normally, one banh chung is priced VND50,000.

“I had to book for this service two months ago. I have not had time for my kids so I’m willing to pay for the service to help my kids enjoy the Tet atmosphere," Lan said.

Although she tried to bring the Tet atmosphere home but on the banh chung day last weekend, both Lan and her husband were not at home.

"My husband and I are businesspeople so we are very busy at the year-end. This week our family has not shared a single meal together," Lan added.

Lan's case is not rare in today’s society. If you go to the streets of Hang Bong, Tran Xuan Soan and Dich Vong in Hanoi these days, you will see many advertisements for banh chung services.

Dan Viet