‘Bringing lotus dishes on planes is a way to spread Vietnamese heritage’

Vietnam Airlines has just launched the “Touching the Lotus” menu with dishes made from lotus like eating from lotus, such as Tay Ho lotus root salad, lotus root stewed rib soup, chicken thighs rolled with lotus seed nuggets or country lotus scented tea, to serve business class passengers. The airline hopes to bring passengers a rich culinary experience right in the middle of the air.

Culinary artist Mai Thi Tra, a typical teacher and researcher in the field of Hue cuisine, commented that Vietnam Airlines’ introduction of the “Touching the Lotus” menu in the flight cabin is considered a bold step to tell the story of heritage on every mile of the flight.

– How do you evaluate when Vietnam Airlines puts a menu of dishes made from lotus on the plane?

– I think Vietnam Airlines’ inclusion of lotus in the in-flight menu is a very clever choice and has an extremely advantageous point. Ingredients from lotus, typically lotus seeds, have a very good property: they are not easily damaged, rancid or degenerated like other fresh ingredients. Thanks to that, the food served on the plane still retains its freshness and original rustic flavor.

In terms of flavor, the lotus dishes brought on board the plane are a wonderful intersection between traditional cultural elements and modern innovation. The company has been sophisticated in preparing both unique salty and sweet dishes from lotus to entertain diners. The flavor of lotus is elegant, gentle, not strong, it brings lightness and relaxation to passengers when traveling on long-haul flights, especially long flights.

– Among the many flowers associated with the lives of Vietnamese people, why does the lotus always hold a special position, representing the core of the cultural, spiritual and spiritual life of Vietnamese people?

– From childhood until now, I and probably every Vietnamese child have memorized a few rustic folk songs:

“Nothing in the lagoon is as beautiful as the lotus
Green leaves, white flowers, and yellow stamens
Yellow stamens, white flowers, lotus leaves
Close to the mud but not smelly of the mud.”

These folk songs encapsulate the reason why the lotus holds a unique position in the hearts of Vietnamese people. Even though it grows from muddy places, the lotus grows straight, rising above the living environment to bloom flowers that are both beautiful and fragrant.

For Buddhism, the lotus embodies the image of a monk or a person who, despite being in the middle of a human world full of troubles and suffering, knows how to rise up and shine. People are like lotus, keeping their moral values, dignity and temperament.

The beauty of lotus is that it is so clean that it does not attract dust, nor does it lose its originality from bees and butterflies. Even though the lotus is a flower that fades quickly, it is that finiteness and brevity that further increases its precious value.

For Vietnamese people, the lotus plant is not just for viewing or offering. Since ancient times, lotus has penetrated deeply into the culinary life of all classes, from rustic life to the royal court. The most unique thing about the lotus plant is its comprehensive usefulness.

I find it rare to find a plant that heaven and earth bestow on perfection like the lotus: from the leaves, flowers, seeds, lotus heart, lotus stem… all parts are useful and can be processed into food.

– From a cultural perspective, what value does the “Touch Lotus” menu bring to airlines and passengers?

– I think this is a creative idea and going in the right direction. As someone who is always concerned about culinary culture, I always think that developing cultural tourism through cuisine is the most sustainable and correct path. Our country has so many delicious dishes, but for a long time we have lacked a “story”.

Putting the lotus menu in Business Class is Vietnam Airlines’ subtle way of telling a profound cultural story in culinary language. International friends, before the plane landed on the S-shaped strip of land, were able to touch and understand the essence of Vietnam through the lot.

That makes them understand, love and be more impressed with their country’s cultural identity right from the first moments.

– What do you expect from Vietnam Airlines’ efforts in accompanying artisans?

– This effort of Vietnam Airlines is truly admirable. This is an aesthetic way to spread Vietnamese culinary cultural traditions throughout all parts of the country and from our country to the world. Lotus is a unique and special ingredient that helps us introduce traditional cuisine internationally.

However, in my opinion, the greatest value of this menu is not only its promotion to foreigners, but it also carries a humanistic value, a great emotional value for Vietnamese people. We hope that passengers on flights will feel satisfied when enjoying lotus dishes.

Especially for Vietnamese people who have been away from home for a long time, as soon as they step on the plane to return and taste the traditional lotus flavor again, they will reunite with their beloved memories, lifestyle and home.