Yuan Xiao For Singaporean in Hanoi

By Su Lin Ho

Impressions of a Chap Goh Mei participant, Hanoi

2006 Singaporeans ushered in the Chinese New Year with family & friends on Sunday 12 February 2006 at the Fortuna Hotel to welcome the year of the golden dog. The day was also the 15th of the lunar month which kind of marked the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. Everything was surreal, it was as good as the real thing. I thought I was back in Singapore. I tried to snap out of it but I can't. Everyone was high on a potpourri of auspicious sayings from Gong Xi Fa Chai, Wan Shi Ru Yi, Sheng Yi Xing Rong to Xin Xiang Shi Sheng.

On such an occasion, a quick check on the delectable menu: Starting with "Yusheng” promising lucky toss for all diners; cold dish of five lucky ingredients to welcome the god of wealth's arrival; Shark fin, crabmeat and Conpoy soup to seal business deals; Red tilapia fish to ensure a bountiful year; Braised mushroom, abalone, sea cucumbers and Fatt Choi with Conpoy to bring happiness; Deep fried prawn rolled in pork webbing to bring laughter; and Steamed lotus leaf rice to welcome the new and send away the old; complete with mandarin oranges to bring in money luck down with our successful home brew Tiger beer.

Only Singaporeans could come up with such auspicious menu !!! Kudos to Fortuna's chefs for this.

The scene was breathtaking. SBAV Chairman Wilson Chua and Patron HE Lim Thuan Kuan, Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam was awed by the numbers of Singaporeans who participated actively in this Chap Ngo Meh dinner.

Though there was no fireworks to witness, I felt the chemistry amongst the people could almost ignite a cacophony of fireworks at start of the dinner. The karaoke sequence was welcome with aplomb. Diners crooned to Chinese ballads and English hits of all times with some even sang in French and Vietnamese repertoire.

SBAV offered an astounding opportunity for all to embrace Singaporeaness in Hanoi. It was indeed a perfect time to join in the revelry and to celebrate Chinese New Year the Singapore way. Before I knew it, the evening came to an end. Life is indeed beautiful. Far from the end, I think this is going to be a start.

As we say, "It's all about being Singaporean". The word.