Hanoians gather as one to make Banh Chung

The Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival is coming and Hanoians are eager to prepare and wrap Banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) - a traditional cake of Vietnamese people during this occasion.

With only a few days until the lunar New Year, the market on Tran Quy Cap Street behind the Hanoi Railway Station was crowded with buyers visiting the busy stalls with dong leaves for sale.
With only a few days until the lunar New Year, the market on Tran Quy Cap Street behind the Hanoi Railway Station was crowded with buyers visiting the busy stalls with dong leaves for sale.

In recent years, the market has become more crowded because many Hanoians are making Banh Chung by themselves.

Small traders can sell thousands of dong leaves and bamboo strings every day.

An 86-year-old man, Dinh, who is living in Trung Tu collective quarter in Dong Da District, always buys a lot of dong and chuoi (banana) leaves to make Banh Chung and gio (pie).

Over the past years, many families in residential areas around Hanoi have gathered together to make Banh Chung for Tet.

This is the second year that residents in Yen Hoa Sunshine building in Cau Giay District have made Banh Chung together.

Participants take on different responsibilities in the step by step process, including washing dong leaves, steaming beans, and packing the cake.

Children are eager to help the adults.

Over 200 cakes have been made for more than 100 households.

The cakes are boiled in the building’s yard. All people gather around the pot and talk together.