This November 27 marks the annual American Thanksgiving Day – a time for families to come together, express gratitude, and feast on a traditional spread of scrumptious home cooking.

The day also signifies the beginning of the festive winter holiday season in the US as everyone gears up for December’s Christmas celebrations.

A time for family

Amid the warm and homey smell of a traditional Thanksgiving feast, family members and loved ones nowadays gather around the dinner table to commemorate a day of cheer, reflection, and to give thanks.

On Thanksgiving Day in the US, colleges empty and many streets remain eerily silent as families congregate at home.

For those without families, community kitchens provide a place for conversation and camaraderie amidst an epic banquet.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most watched television programs and a traditional favorite for people of all ages.

Taking in an American football match is another customary activity for many in the US.

On the day before Thanksgiving, air travel in the US hits its busiest point of the year while the day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

John Paxton, an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City from California said, “Thanksgiving is one of the most important and cheerful holidays in the US.”

“All family members gather for a traditional American Thanksgiving meal and the most delectable bird for this special occasion is the Thanksgiving turkey,” he added.

“Copious amounts of cooking will also be served on the day including mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread, hot cider and pumpkin pie,” said Paxton. “Thanksgiving is joyfully celebrated in the US like the Tet holiday is in Vietnam.”

The turkey that I had last Thanksgiving at a five-star hotel in HCMC with my family was as delicious as the traditional turkey in the US, said Anthony Johnston, an American businessman living in HCMC.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham) President Sami Kteily in HCMC said Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday of October which fell on October 13 this year.

About 300 Canadian, expatriate and Vietnamese people attended this year’s event and enjoyed a selection of Canadian wines along with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Attendees were also treated to a live musical performance by the Canadian Consul General Bill Johnston and his band.

For Americans who can’t make the trans-national trek to visit

their families this Thanksgiving, there are many local options ranging from the annual American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Thanksgiving “Turkey Shoot” Golf Outing followed by a traditional Thanksgiving mid-day dinner, to the many banquets offered by restaurants and hotels around the country.

Reported by Vinh Bao