Honoring Culture, Connection, and Tradition this May
As host families, one of the greatest joys is learning about and participating in the cultural traditions of your international students. This May, consider celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival—a vibrant holiday celebrated across several East and Southeast Asian countries. By honoring this day together, you not only show appreciation for your student’s heritage but also create meaningful cross-cultural memories that last a lifetime.
What is the Dragon Boat Festival?
The Dragon Boat Festival (known as Duanwu Jie in Mandarin) is a traditional holiday that falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, which usually lands in late May or June on the Western calendar. In 2025, it will be celebrated on May 31. The festival dates back over 2,000 years and is most commonly associated with China, though it’s also celebrated in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam (Tết Đoan Ngọ), and even parts of South Korea and Japan.
The holiday commemorates Qu Yuan, a patriotic Chinese poet and statesman. According to legend, Qu Yuan drowned himself in protest against government corruption. Locals raced out in boats to save or recover him, beating drums and throwing rice dumplings into the water to keep fish and evil spirits away. These acts evolved into dragon boat races and the tradition of eating zongzi—sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Countries That Celebrate the Festival
- China – The origin of the festival; it’s a public holiday with dragon boat races, zongzi, and family gatherings.
- Taiwan and Hong Kong – Celebrations are similar to China, with local cultural variations.
- Malaysia and Singapore – Celebrated within Chinese communities with dragon boat races and public festivities.
- Vietnam – Known as Tết Đoan Ngọ, focusing on warding off illness and cleansing the body.
- South Korea – Elements of the festival are recognized in Dano, a traditional day for celebrating health and vitality.
How Host Families Can Celebrate at Home
You don’t need a dragon boat or river to celebrate! Here are meaningful and fun ways to bring the Dragon Boat Festival into your home:
🍙 Try Making or Buying Zongzi
Making zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) is a special activity you can do with your student. If making them from scratch feels daunting, you can often find them at Asian supermarkets. Ask your student how their family makes zongzi—they may even want to help prepare them!
🛶 Watch a Dragon Boat Race Together
Search YouTube or cultural websites for dragon boat races—many international races are livestreamed or archived. Watching them can be a great conversation starter about sports, tradition, and teamwork.
📚 Learn the Legend of Qu Yuan
Read the story of Qu Yuan together or ask your student to share what they learned about him in school. You can also watch animated or dramatized versions online in English or the student’s native language with subtitles.
🎨 Try Traditional Crafts
Make paper dragon boats or paint miniature paddles as a family activity. It’s a fun way to learn more about the symbolism and share a hands-on experience.
For any questions on how to become a host or to support your student: