VietNamNet Bridge – As the lunar New Year (Tet) approaches, some suburban villages of Hanoi are very busy making banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) to serve the market.

Banh chung (steamed cake) is a traditional Vietnamese cake which is made from glutinous rice, mung bean, pork and other ingredients. Its origin is told by the legend of Lang Lieu, a prince of the sixth Hung Vuong, who became Hung Vuong’s successor thank to his creation of banh chung and banh day, which symbolized respectively the Earth and the Sky.

Considered an essential element of the family altar on the occasion of Tet, the making and eating banh chung during this time is a well-preserved tradition of Vietnamese people. Beside the Tet holiday, banh chung is also tasted all year round as a delicacy of Vietnamese cuisine and one of the national dishes of Vietnam besides nem ran and pho.

Tranh Khuc village in Duyen Ha commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, produces more than 10,000 banh chung a day.

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Most of families in the village produce banh chung to serve the Hanoi market. Normally, each family makes around 300 banh chung a day but for Tet, they have to hire additional workers.

Children are also involved in this traditional trade. They wash edible canna leaves and strip off the ribs.

In cold weather, this woman has to wear gloves to work. She said her family has pursued this trade for several generations.

Banh chung is the symbol of Tet.

At the age of 90, Mrs. Ty still works very hard during these busy days. She said she has done her whole life. “I love this trade very much. I hope my descendants will continue this tradition forever,” Mrs. Ty said.

Tranh Khuc villagers have measured materials very carefully to have up-to-standard banh chung.

Professional banh chung makers don’t need moulds but their cakes are very square and regular.
They can make one banh chung in a minute.

Mrs. Nhan, 73, has also been a banh chung maker since she was a little girl.

Banh chung are boiled by industrial boilers.

TVA