Dong leaves are 3 times more expensive, but people are still excited to buy banh chung

Tran Quy Cap Market (Dong Da District) is the oldest traditional market specializing in selling dong leaves in Hanoi. Here, dong leaves are sold all year round, but the busiest time is near Tet, from December 17 to 29. Shops open from 5am to late at night.

Dong leaves at the market are imported from many places. Wild dong leaves originate from Lao Cai and Tuyen Quang provinces, while country dong leaves are imported from Thanh Oai (Hanoi), Phu Ly (Ha Nam)... Tran Quy Cap market provides all kinds of dong leaves in all sizes from small to large to meet the different needs of customers.

Ms. Ngo Thu Ha, a trader of dong leaves for many years at Tran Quy Cap market, said that the amount of dong leaves coming from the provinces is less than the same period last year, causing the price to triple. Currently, wild dong leaves cost 150,000 VND/100 leaves, country dong leaves cost 120,000 VND/100 leaves, and the string used to tie cakes is sold for 10,000-20,000 VND/bundle.

To make the banh chung have a natural green color, you need to choose leaves that are fresh, have good elasticity, and are not crispy. Choose leaves with a dark green color and moderately large leaves to be able to wrap the filling inside.

From 6am every day, many people come to Tran Quy Cap dong leaf market to choose their favorite bundles of leaves to wrap cakes and ham.

Ms. Luong Thi Thuy (Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi) shared that her family has maintained the tradition of wrapping banh chung for Tet since her father also made banh chung and gio cha. After he passed away, she sometimes wrapped the cakes herself to preserve the Tet atmosphere, although the price is even more expensive, but the quality and deliciousness are guaranteed.

Ms. Do Mai Loan, who has been selling dong leaves at Tran Quy Cap market for nearly 50 years, shared that although the price of dong leaves this year is more expensive and scarce than previous years, purchasing power has not decreased. The price for a bundle of 40 leaves at Ms. Loan's store is 160,000 VND.

The price is more expensive than every year, but there are still many buyers because the demand for making banh chung and gio during Tet has not decreased.

Ms. Tran Thanh Thuy (Kim Ma, Ba Dinh district) after half an hour of choosing, holding 2 bundles of dong leaves excitedly shared: "Before, I often had to ask acquaintances to wrap the cakes, but for the past 6 years, I have been wrapping the cakes myself to give to my family and friends. This year, the price of dong leaves is quite high, but that's okay, I chose to buy 60 beautiful dong leaves to wrap about 15 banh chung."

Banh chung wrapping strips are also sold at prices ranging from 12,000-20,000 VND/bundle.

Bundles of dong leaves are tied to the back of the car, ready to bring the taste of Tet to restaurants or households.

In addition to dong leaves, many stalls at Tran Quy Cap market also sell banana leaves to serve customers who want to wrap spring rolls.

Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/tet-2024/la-dong-dat-gap-3-nguoi-dan-van-phan-khoi-mua-goi-banh-chung-20240205103147944.htm