Students wrap banh chung to give to janitors and security guards

A group of students from the University of Finance and Marketing wrapped 500 banh chung to give to security guards, janitors and friends who could not return home for Tet.

This is the main activity in the Spring Volunteer Campaign of students of the University of Finance - Marketing this year. The students spent 3 days wrapping cakes (January 27 - February 1) at the dormitory in Tang Nhon Phu (Thu Duc City), Tan Binh District Military Command and Cau Ong Lanh Ward (District 1).

Nearly 500 banh chung were given to students staying in dormitories during Tet, soldiers on duty at the Tan Binh District Military Command, street workers and poor households in Cau Ong Lanh Ward.

A group of students participate in making banh chung at the dormitory of the University of Finance and Marketing. Photo: UFM — A group of students wrapping banh chung at the dormitory of the University of Finance and Marketing. Photo: *UFM*

For two consecutive days, Trieu Thi Tuyen, a second-year student, and her friends arrived early in the morning to prepare the ingredients and personally wrap, cook, and scoop out the cakes. Then, the group gave them to the security guards and janitors that same night.

"This is the first time I've learned to wrap banh chung. There were days when I delivered the cakes until 1 or 2 a.m. before returning home. Although I was tired, seeing the smiles and happy eyes of the uncles and aunts when they received the cakes, I found it worthwhile and meaningful," Tuyen shared.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Quy, a security guard at the University of Finance and Marketing in Go Vap, said that in nearly 20 years of working at the school, this was the first time he received banh chung wrapped by students. According to him, this is a valuable spring gift because it shows the students' feelings and sharing.

Students give banh chung to elderly workers. Photo: UFM — Students give banh chung to elderly workers. Photo: *UFM*

Mr. Nguyen Tien Khoi, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union, said that wrapping banh chung to give to students and workers is an annual activity. However, this year, the volunteer team wrapped banh chung in many locations and in larger quantities.

"After a conversation, the students learned that some security guards, janitors, and parking attendants had to stay on duty or were unable to return home for Tet, so they decided to wrap more cakes to send as gifts, hoping to bring a bit of a warm atmosphere during Tet," Mr. Khoi explained.