Every Lunar New Year, banh chung is always present as an indispensable symbol on the Vietnamese feast.
From a square cake wrapped in dong leaves, green bean filling and familiar pork belly, banh chung has become a culinary memory associated with a atmosphere of reunion and fullness.
At a banh chung and tray making facility in Hanoi, near Tet, many new banh chung models are introduced with diverse colors and flavors.
Besides traditional banh chung, this year's market has seen more modified banh chung lines. Products are diversified with two lines of saline and vegetarian fillings, including 12 flavors such as traditional, cốm, gấc, cẩm, salt,...
Sharing with reporters, Ms. Truong Thi Le Nhung - owner of a banh chung shop in Hanoi - commented: "Banh chung is a traditional cake associated with the Vietnamese nation. When banh chung is put on new colors and flavors, diners still recognize the taste of old cakes, but at the same time feel closer to the modern pace of life.
Instead of having only one choice, consumers can now easily find types of sticky rice banh chung, gac banh chung, salt banh chung, magenta banh chung, five-spice Tet cake or vegetarian banh chung", Ms. Nhung said.
Regarding selling price, mini banh chung currently ranges from 165,000 - 190,000 VND/piece, while large-sized banh chung have prices from 240,000 - 300,000 VND/piece, depending on the type and flavor.
''Many customers order cakes very early, even a month before Tet, to be ready for gifts or sending abroad. Chung cakes are refrigerated, when heated, they still retain the flexibility, aroma of sticky rice and the butteriness of the filling, meeting the convenience needs of modern life,'' Ms. Truong Thi Le Nhung said.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Huong (Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) said that this year her family chose to buy a set of many types of banh chung instead of just ordering traditional cakes as before.
There are elderly people, vegetarians, and even young children in the house, so each person has a different taste. Having many types of cakes in the same set helps the whole family easily choose, not getting bored while still maintaining the Tet atmosphere," Ms. Huong shared.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Hieu (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) - a customer who often buys banh chung as gifts - said that the form and flavor are the big plus points.
Banh chung now is not only delicious but also beautiful, cut out has natural colors that are very eye-catching. When given as a gift, the recipient feels that this is not just a dish but also a gift with cultural meaning," Mr. Hieu said.
