“Massaman” curry strengthens Thai-Vietnamese ties

[webfact]

 

Article by Kavi Chongkittavorn

 

The world-famous “Massaman” curry is no longer just a tasty dish but has a new role as a diplomatic tool to further strengthen Thailand-Vietnam ties.

 

Due to the uptick in the Covid-19 pandemic in Vietnam, Ambassador Nikorndej Palangkula decided to postpone a celebration originally planned for the Hanoi Opera House. Instead, he delivered Massaman curry to senior officials in Hanoi involved in the development of Thailand-Vietnam relations including those in the private sector. The curry also included a video clip of how to prepare Massaman at home.

 

In his interview with Voice of Vietnam, the ambassador hailed the bilateral ties which have gone from strength to strength. He expressed confidence that by 2025, commercial ties could reach US$25 billion and perhaps even more, if the two sides adopt a new platform and new economy. With a stronger and complementary supply chain, the two-way trade volume would rise.

 

Nikorndej added that people-to-people relations are the foundation of an enduring friendship. “During the Covid-19 crisis, Thailand and Vietnam have cooperated closely with one another and we will continue to do so in the future,” he said.

 

Thailand and Vietnam established a diplomatic relationship in 1975. This was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2013 and to a strengthened strategic partnership in 2019. The two are planning a third joint Cabinet meeting later this year, which will be hosted by Hanoi. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha plans to have a face-to-face meeting with Vietnam’s new Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

 

Regular exchanges of Thai-Vietnamese youth have been held every year to increase their awareness and understanding of each other’s culture, education and other aspects of their lives. Recently, the Thai-Vietnamese community in Thailand commemorated the 131st anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh.

 

He spent over a year in Thailand from 1928-29.

 

As part of the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam diplomatic ties, the Academy of Social Science’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Hanoi, and Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Security and International Studies jointly organized a webinar to discuss the new dynamism of these relations.

 

Experts from both countries were on the panel. Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh gave a keynote speech to open the webinar.

 

More programs and activities are being organized to celebrate the anniversary.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-09

 

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[tonray]

I was hoping this was a recipe rather than a fluff piece.

[fangless]

And there was me thinking that Massaman curry was of Indian origin.  I did not realise that the Thai's claim to have invented it!

Edited August 9, 2021 by fangless

[JoePai]

27 minutes ago, fangless said:

And there was me thinking that Massaman curry was of Indian origin.  I did not realise that the Thai's claim to have invented it!

Oh ye of little faith, Thailand invented EVERTHING

[jacko45k]

30 minutes ago, fangless said:

And there was me thinking that Massaman curry was of Indian origin.  I did not realise that the Thai's claim to have invented it!

A fusion of Indian and Malay apparently.... it is rather good due to it's richness from the coconut milk. I have always called it 'mamasan' to irritate my partner. 

[Scrotobike]

5 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Oh ye of little faith, Thailand invented EVERTHING

Especially the mobile ATM, oh and I understand the elephant operating table.....

[tonray]

7 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

Especially the mobile ATM, oh and I understand the elephant operating table.....

I didn't know elephants were licensed to operate....do they have their own set of instruments grippable by trunk ?

[Scrotobike]

1 minute ago, tonray said:

I didn't know elephants were licensed to operate....do they have their own set of instruments grippable by trunk ?

Good point - I think I was sold some fake news - take me away men in black!

[fangless]

13 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

A fusion of Indian and Malay apparently.... it is rather good due to it's richness from the coconut milk. I have always called it 'mamasan' to irritate my partner. 

You are obviously not trying to curry any favours from her then!

[hotchilli]

46 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

A fusion of Indian and Malay apparently.... it is rather good due to it's richness from the coconut milk. I have always called it 'mamasan' to irritate my partner. 

A large portion of course?

[KarenBravo]

Massaman curry is a bit like rotis. It can be found in most SE Asian countries where it has been slightly modified for local taste.

Massaman was originally Musselman, which was the word to describe a Muslim a few hundred years ago. The curry was brought to other countries by South Indian, Muslim sailors as they visited countries for trade.

[Misterwhisper]

Ah those NNT news reports, always a welcome source of so much comedy gold and laughter.

[Sydebolle]

Well, just make sure you do not teach the Vietnamese to add sugar and/or MSG into the dish. 

Decades ago it was a culinary delight, now it is a completely over sweetened, MSG-propped disaster in a bowl; not only with one but most vendors. Profitability prevails! 

[unblocktheplanet]

On 8/9/2021 at 10:12 AM, Sydebolle said:

Well, just make sure you do not teach the Vietnamese to add sugar and/or MSG into the dish. 

Decades ago it was a culinary delight, now it is a completely over sweetened, MSG-propped disaster in a bowl; not only with one but most vendors. Profitability prevails! 

But homemade Massaman is the bomb! Frequent in our vegetarian household.

[Sydebolle]

16 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

But homemade Massaman is the bomb! Frequent in our vegetarian household.

Will certainly not argue with that statement - spot on - despite preferring the non-vegetarian version with chicken ???? 

[Meat Pie 47]

On 8/9/2021 at 7:20 AM, tonray said:

I was hoping this was a recipe rather than a fluff piece.

Here you go

 

https://www.recipetineats.com/massaman-curry/