Mina is a half Korean and Half Vietnamese girl who is learning about the Vu Lan Festival that is celebrated on June 15th. She sees her parents setting up an altar and preparing food and learns to make a sweet rice cake with her mother. She is told that the festival is meant to honor parents and ancestors with offerings made at home and at the Vietnamese temple. Her family visits a temple and prays. Afterwards, they light and hang a paper lantern on a tree. The next day the family packs up old clothes and toys to give to their local Vietnamese charity. Mina is happy to remember her ancestors and help others, looking forward to doing it again next year


Culture Explorers: Mina's 1st Vu Lan Festival

Mina watches her Mom and Dad prepare fresh fruit and flowers in the kitchen for the Vu Lan Festival

Mina woke up to the smell of delicious food. She saw her Mom and Dad setting up an altar in the living room. 'What are we doing today?' Mina asked excitedly. 'Today is the Vu Lan Festival,' her Dad explained. 'It's a special day to honor our parents and ancestors.'

A Special Morning

Mina sitting on a couch next to her Dad, listening intently as he explains the Vu Lan Festival. The sun is shining through the windows and there is incense burining in the background in the living room.

Mina sat down with her Dad, who told her about the festival. 'Vu Lan is a time when we show respect and gratitude to our parents and ancestors,' he said. 'We prepare special foods and make offerings.' Mina listened carefully, feeling proud of her heritage. She couldn't wait to learn more.

Learning About Vu Lan

Mina in the kitchen with her Mom, both smiling as they make sweet rice cakes together

Mom called Mina into the kitchen. 'Let's make sweet rice cakes together,' she said with a smile. Mina helped mix the ingredients and shape the cakes. They laughed and talked as they worked. Mina felt happy to be part of the preparations.

Making Sweet Rice Cakes

Mina standing in a Vietnamese temple, joining her Mom and Dad in prayer with incense smoke wafting in the air. Their eyes are closing and hands clasped together in a prayer

Later that day, the family visited the Vietnamese temple. Mina saw many people praying and making offerings. She joined her parents in prayer, feeling a sense of peace. They lit incense and placed it on the altar. Mina felt connected to her ancestors.

Visiting the Temple

Mina watching a softly glowing paper lantern hanging on a tree in the evening

In the evening, Mina's family hung a paper lantern on a tree. 'This lantern will guide our ancestors' spirits,' Mom explained. Mina watched as the lantern glowed softly in the night. It was a beautiful sight. She felt a warm feeling in her heart.

Lighting the Lantern

Mina, Mom and Dad are packing toys and clothing into cardboard boxes in their living room

The next day, Mina and her family packed up old clothes and toys. 'We're going to donate these to a local Vietnamese charity,' Dad said. Mina felt good about helping others. They drove to the charity and handed over their donations. Mina saw smiles on everyone's faces.

Giving Back

Mina, Mom and Dad hugging each other. They are smiling with their eyes closed. They are at a local charity with boxes of toys and clothes are in the background.

Mina thought about everything she had learned and done. She felt grateful for her family and ancestors. 'I can't wait for next year's Vu Lan Festival,' she said. Her parents smiled and hugged her. It had been a special and meaningful time.

A Day of Gratitude

Mina dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing, smiling and looking at a table of fruit and flowers in her living room.

As the days went by, Mina kept thinking about the festival. She remembered the sweet rice cakes, the temple visit, and the lantern. She felt proud to be part of such a beautiful tradition. Mina knew she would always honor her ancestors. And she looked forward to next year's celebration with joy.