Artisans are busy preparing over 1 ton of banh chung for Hung King's death anniversary

In recent days, many artisans have gathered at the Song Hau Farm Eco-Zone in Co Do District (Can Tho City) to urgently prepare the stages of making the "largest banh chung in the Mekong Delta" to offer to King Hung on the occasion of the Hung King's death anniversary.

The baker cuts banana leaves to wrap the inner layer of the banh chung.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Mr. Tran Minh Cuong, Permanent Vice President of the Can Tho Professional Chefs Association and Head Chef of the Song Hau Farm Eco-Zone, said that this idea came from the desire to show respect and commemorate the Hung Kings; at the same time, promote local cuisine within the framework of the Southern folk cake festival.

About 1,000 banana leaves and 1,800 dong leaves are prepared to wrap the cakes.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The special feature of this banh chung is the unique culinary culture exchange between the North and the South. In terms of appearance, the cake is still wrapped in dong leaves on the outside and traditional Northern string. However, inside, the familiar banana leaves of the Southern people are used, with the desire to keep the natural green color of the cake.

More than 30 artisans and assistants participated in wrapping the cakes.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The ingredients for making the cake are carefully selected from local agricultural products, including: 600 kg of sticky rice, 235 kg of green beans, 215 kg of pork belly, 1,000 banana leaves... and 1,800 dong leaves transported from the North.

Prepare sticky rice to make cakes

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The artisans also skillfully add coconut milk, salt and sugar, to suit the rich and slightly sweet taste of the Southern people. This creates a difference compared to the traditional banh chung of the North, which mainly uses only salt.

"Banh chung is a specialty of the North, while the South is familiar with banh tet. However, we want to create a cake with a Southern flavor but still retain the characteristics of banh chung," said Mr. Cuong.

Busy preparing the steps to wrap a banh chung weighing more than 1 ton

PHOTO: DUY TAN

More than 30 artisans and assistants participate in making banh chung. The cake is shaped with a zinc frame lined with wood, then steamed in a special boiler for more than 20 hours, helping to retain its softness, elasticity and better flavor. When finished, the cake is expected to measure 1.9 x 1.9 m, about 0.8 m high, and weigh more than 1 ton.

Zinc frame lined with wood used to shape the banh chung

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Once completed, the cake will be promoted and displayed at the Southern Traditional Cake Festival and offered at the Hung King Temple. In particular, about 2,000 portions of this "giant" banh chung will be served free of charge to locals and tourists who come to visit and attend the ceremony on April 5, thereby demonstrating the spirit of sharing and spreading traditional cultural values.

The 12th Southern Traditional Cake Festival in 2025 will take place from April 4 to 8 at Binh Thuy Square (Can Tho City). This is the largest cake festival in the West, with about 231 booths from the provinces of the Mekong Delta and the provinces of the North, Central and Central Highlands. In particular, this year's festival will demonstrate the making of "giant banh xeo" and "the largest banh chung in the Mekong Delta".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-tho-nghe-nhan-tat-bat-chuan-bi-banh-chung-16-tan-dang-len-vua-hung-185250403171018534.htm