Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Mongolian, Persian,
Portuguese, Russian,
Spanish and Thai.
Birds soar high,
singing at sunrise
Alone I travel
in a weathered shirt
From Long An,
Mộc Hóa, Mỹ Tho to
Gò Công and Tiền Giang,
a carpet of golden rice
stretches to the far horizon.
I love my sweetheart
in her faded bà ba shirt
On the buffalo’s back,
she looks charming
with her suntanned skin
O thriving rice plants,
alluvial-rich rivers!
Rejoicing in a happy bond
with Tháp Mười,
one forgets his hard life.
Cái Bè’s tangerine
is known for
its honeyed sweetness
Savor it once,
one remembers forever
the Western land
How adorable,
the Western girls
with rosy cheeks!
Simple-hearted
they have been
for generations.
O alluvium,
endearing scent
of the countryside!
From Long Xuyên
to Vĩnh Long, Trà Vinh,
image of home river
runs deeply in my heart
O alluvium! Enraptured,
I’m reluctant to leave
Though I can’t stay,
I miss the peaceful land.
Bright moonlight shines
on Cần Thơ River
From afar
echoes a chanting song
If you visit Tây Đô,
stop by Sóc Trăng to
listen to the Lâm Thôn tune
Communal house singing
feels so close to our hearts.
Fruits ripen quickly
in the early morning sun
Evening rain
cools deep rice fields
O alluvium! Trees bloom
through all seasons
Young women and men
are side by side,
affectionate
Folk song resounds
immense and sweet...
Folk song resounds
immense and sweet...
You’ve just
enjoyed the song
“Journey
on the Alluvial Land”
by composer Thanh Sơn,
with vocals by Minh Vương
and Lệ Thủy.
“Journey
on the Alluvial Land”
is a voyage through
the southwestern region
of Âu Lạc where there are
vast rice fields,
year-round
blooming orchards,
and simple hearts
full of human affection.
Âu Lạc,
a beautiful country
situated in Southeast Asia,
with sub-tropical climate,
is graced by Mother Nature
with green plants
and sweet fruits,
all redolent and
delectable throughout
the four seasons.
Depending on
the weather conditions
and culinary preferences
of each region,
the local people
have skillfully created
many savory dishes.
In our program
about Aulacese
traditional cuisine,
we are pleased to introduce the
specialty foods of a land
known for its freshness
and abundance.
Indeed, at a public lecture
in the United States
in March 1991,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
especially praised
the rich natural resources
of Âu Lạc.
“Âu Lạc is among
the most enriched nations
in this world:
there are mines of gold,
silver, uranium, lead,
zinc, and tin.
Âu Lạc has everything.
There are morals, piety,
harmony, and
four thousands years
of civilization.
It is one of the most
ancient countries
in the world.
Our land has always had
abundant foods and fruits.
I remember when
I was a student there,
there was a great
variety of fruits
when I went to Bình Dương
and Long Thành.
And rice!
Aulacese indigenous rice,
called Tám Thơm,
is the most famous
in Southeast Asia
and in the world.
There are also other
products, dried or fresh,
that are most popular
in the world.”
We are deeply grateful to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for her
treasured words
and boundless grace
for the nation and people
of peace-loving Âu Lạc.
When discussing
Âu Lạc’s specialty food,
we cannot fail to mention
the vegan rice pancake.
The cheerful “cracking”
sound of frying
coupled with
the bright golden color
of the pancake rolled in
fresh green leafy vegetables
is truly appealing.
But perhaps
most impressive is
the vegan rice pancake
from southern Âu Lạc
with its crispiness
and aromatic nutty flavor
of coconut milk.
In today’s program,
we're delighted to introduce
the vegan rice pancake
from the flourishing
southern land,
past and present.
O Your Honor!
What is it?
I haven’t seen any inns
around here!
My legs feel weary
and I’m hungry too!
You scared the horses
away, and now
you're complaining?
Your Honor,
as a County Chief,
you have carriages
and servants,
why didn’t you use them?
I disguised as a commoner
for an inspection tour.
What's the use
of making soldiers shout
to clear the way
in the front
and protect the back?
If you’re afraid of
getting tired,
just stay home next time.
Oh no, please forgive me!
Eh, someone is walking
over there...
A woodsman, perhaps.
Respected Elder,
please show us
to the main road to return
to Định An County.
Sure! But it’s already late;
I’m afraid it’ll get dark
before you two reach there.
Really?
What? So tonight... we
must sleep in the forest?
How about... you two
just spend the night
at my house
and set out tomorrow
to be safe.
Thank you very much,
Elder! Please lead the way. Elder! Please lead the way.
Do not reveal my identity,
all right! (Yes.)
O Hương!
We have guests;
bring the tea, child.
May I know your name?
I’m a student,
surname Vương,
and this is my attendant.
Only two of us
father and daughter here.
This remote place rarely
has any visitors.
Since tomorrow is my
wife’s death anniversary,
my daughter will be making
vegan rice pancakes.
I'd like to invite you two
to stay for a cozy meal.
You’re so kind to invite us,
we'd be remiss if we refuse.
Let me help you, Elder. Let me help you, Elder.
Oh... how come
this rice is wet?
Ah, that's right.
This rice I already soaked
in water for 4 hours,
washed clean, and now
will grind it finely
to make the pancakes.
We just need about
250 grams of rice flour.
That’s enough to make
vegan rice pancakes
for 4 people.
All right, I'm going now
to cleave the wood.
Why are you doing
this kind of work?
Hush! What’s wrong
with this work?
Before becoming
a County Chief,
I was a poor student and
had done all these things.
Now, go to the back.
See if you can be of help.
(Yes.)
Elder,
the coconut milk is ready!
Please bring it in
to Miss Hương.
We’re not using
the coconut juice, Elder?
No.
Then I’ll drink it!
Here is the ground rice,
Miss Hương!
We trouble you too much!
Actually,
grinding rice is quite fun!
Master, have some
fresh coconut juice!
Just feel at home,
Mr. Vương!
Here is the coconut milk,
Miss Hương!
Thank you.
No problem! I love to work.
Did you make
those bean sprouts?
Yes, the vegan rice pancake
will taste better
with freshly harvested
bean sprouts.
Very nice bean sprouts!
Show me how to make it,
please.
It’s very easy!
Wash mung beans
thoroughly,
then soak in warm water
for 8 to 12 hours.
Next rinse them clean
and let them dry.
Line a bamboo mold
with cheesecloth.
Spread mung beans on it.
Cover the mung beans
with a thick piece
of white fabric, then
close the lid and place it
where there is little light.
Water the beans
twice a day.
After about 3 days,
we can enjoy them.
Wow, it’s easy!
By the way,
can I watch you make
the vegan rice pancake,
so later I can make it
for my master?
Oh, sure.
The mixture
to make pancakes
will contain
200 grams rice flour,
200 grams coconut milk,
2 tablespoons saffron,
sugar, salt
and spring onion.
What is that yellow juice?
That is fresh saffron,
finely ground
and mixed with water.
Then we filter it
to obtain its juice to
give color to the pancakes.
I see.
I forgot the cold rice!
What's cold rice for?
We crush the cold rice
and mix it with
the pancake mixture to
make the pancake crispy.
Let me go get it!
We only need 1 teaspoon!
Really!
Now stir-fry the carrots
and cassava roots.
Season them
with salt and sugar.
Why does it take so long
to fry?
When will it be done?
When the pancake’s edge
turns yellow,
fold it in half.
Continue to fry it
until the shell becomes
an even yellow, then
remove it from the pan.
Oh, we need the sauce too.
It’s quite a lot of things!
The sauce is easy, really.
Blend the same amount
of vinegar,
liquid sweetener,
purified water,
then add in some salt,
garlic, finely chopped
hot pepper...
and pickled vegetables!
That’s all.
It smells so good!
O master,
the vegan rice pancakes
are about ready!
Oh, it looks so delicious! Oh, it looks so delicious!
Miss Hương
is such a good cook!
You’re very blessed, Elder.
You're too kind.
Nowadays,
most of the necessary
ingredients to prepare
vegan rice pancakes
are ready-made.
We can easily find
coconut milk, rice flour,
saffron powder and
all kinds of vegetables and
roots at the supermarket.
Aside from tofu and
fresh straw mushrooms
as protein filling,
depending on our taste,
we can add vegan shrimp,
vegan ham,
vegan bacon, etc.
Daddy!
What is it, sweetie?
When will Mom be home?
I miss the vegan
rice pancake so much!
Huh?
Vegan rice pancake?
That’s super easy!
Here’s the rice pancake’s
ready-mix flour!
Whoa.. great!
I know how to do it now.
Get ready to enjoy
my cooking skills.
I remember
Mom put vegetables
and roots in there too!
Oh, really?!...
Wait a minute.
Honey,
when will you be home?
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, honey!
Ah, Mom is back, Daddy!
I stopped by
the supermarket
to buy ingredients to
make vegan rice pancake.
Are you tired
from the trip, honey?
I’m doing fine, love.
I’ve prepared
all the vegan proteins here.
Thank you, honey.
Show me
how to make them.
Sure.
So later you can make it
for everyone, right?
Not a problem!
You need to mix in
some coconut milk,
vegan seasoning and salt
to make the mixture
more tasty, and a little bit
of spring onion for aroma.
Really?
Add vegan bacon,
vegan shrimp,
vegan ham, mushroom,
stir-fried carrot
and cassava roots,
and bean sprouts.
I see.
When the pancake turns
golden, fold it in half,
wait a little bit,
then take it out.
Wow! So delicious!
Vegan rice pancakes
can be dipped in
sweet and sour sauce
or soybean paste.
The vegetables served
with southern Aulacese
vegan rice pancake
are plentiful in variety,
mainly mustard green,
lettuce, mint, herbs,
red perilla, houttuynia
and cordata.
One may add in
other rural kinds of
vegetables such as
mangosteen shoots,
sunshine tree leaves,
mango shoots, and prema.
Vegan rice pancakes
are often wrapped
in a leaf of mustard green
or lettuce,
but some people also use
an additional piece of
thin rice paper softened
with water to neatly wrap
all the vegetables and
vegan rice pancake inside,
then dip everything
in their favorite sauce
and enjoy.
Oh, how I miss
vegan rice pancake!
Does anyone feel the same?
Valet! (Yes.)
You saw Miss Hương
make the pancake already.
Why don’t you
try to do it yourself?
Yes, I did, but...
I gave it away already.
Gave to whom?
I gave it...
to the trash can!
How come?
Because it was so “good!”
I’ve been thinking....
What’s on your mind,
Your Honor?
Since I’m unoccupied
with public work today,
would you like to
make another trip with me
to that place to enjoy
some vegan rice pancake?
What would be better
than that?
Well then,
get the carriage ready.
We’ll set out today.
(Yes. Right away!)
Vegan rice pancake is
a very creative food;
its filling can be very simple
with just bean sprouts
and fresh straw mushrooms,
or more elaborate
with various kinds of
vegetables, roots
and vegan proteins.
As long as the rice pancake
is made crispy
with a sauce suited to taste
and served right away,
it’s always appetizing.
Today, with
most of the ingredients
made readily available,
vegan rice pancake can
be prepared conveniently
and quickly and
is well-loved by all ages.
Thank you for watching
our program featuring
a traditional dish
from southern Âu Lạc
called Vegan Rice Pancake.
Please tune in to
Supreme Master Television
for more on
Aulacese specialty food
and traditional cuisine
in future broadcasts.
Coming up is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
after Noteworthy News.
So long for now.