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Mekong Delta rice festival sets new record with 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes

Thursday, December 14, 2023, 13:35 GMT+7
Mekong Delta rice festival sets new record with 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes
Banh tet ngu sac (five-color glutinous rice cake filled with green bean paste and fat pork) on display at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

The People’s Committee of Hau Giang Province, located in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, on Wednesday afternoon hosted a ceremony to officially announce a national record for crafting the highest-ever number of 200 traditional rice and sticky rice cakes.

The occasion is part of the Vietnam-Hau Giang International Rice Festival 2023, which opened to visitors on Monday evening and will last through Thursday.

Chefs from across the nation meticulously selected premium, round rice and sticky rice grains, along with various ingredients such as pork, beans, vegetables, and tubers, to craft 200 exquisite, vibrant, and flavorful traditional cakes.

Officials receive certificates of setting a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Officials receive certificates of setting a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

“These traditional cakes showcase the chefs’ ingenuity with novel, unusual, and distinctive creations,” said Nguyen Thi Ly, deputy director of the Hau Giang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. 

“The intricate decoration of the cakes adds to their beauty. 

“Through this event, we aim to highlight Vietnam’s rice and sticky rice grains to both domestic and international tourists, as well as promote river and garden tourism in Hau Giang.”

Two hundred traditional Vietnamese cakes are artistically arranged on seven boats at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Two hundred traditional Vietnamese cakes are artistically arranged on seven boats at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

At 4:30 pm the same day, several teams of chefs collaborated to produce 200 folk cakes, including banh tet la cam (glutinous rice cake filled with green bean paste and fat pork and covered by cam leaves), banh it (sticky rice dumplings), banh com (green sticky rice cake), banh bo (honeycomb cake), banh da lon ngan lop (steamed multiple-layer cake), and more.

The enticing array of cakes was artistically arranged on seven boats, symbolizing the seven tranquil rivers of Hau Giang, which meet at the popular Nga Bay floating market.

Banh xeo mien Nam (southern Vietnamese pancake) on display at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

'Banh xeo mien Nam' (southern Vietnamese pancake) on display at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

“I am very impressed with this rice festival hosted by Hau Giang,” said Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh, a tourist from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. 

“I can’t think of anything better than enjoying these traditional cakes with both salty and sweet fillings on a trip like this.”

Banh da lon (steamed cake) on display at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

'Banh da lon' (steamed cake) on display at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Chefs hold plates of traditional Vietnamese cakes at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Chefs hold plates of traditional Vietnamese cakes at the event celebrating a Vietnamese record for crafting 200 traditional Vietnamese cakes in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang, December 13, 2023. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

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Bao Anh - Chi Cong - Le Dan / Tuoi Tre News

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