Loving the cake wrapping profession, preserving the full flavor of Tet in the countryside
Every Tet holiday, Tra Cuon Tet cake village (Vinh Kim commune, Vinh Long province) is filled with fire from early morning to late at night. In the cake workshops, laughter mixed with the quick rhythm of the wrappers creates a bustling and colorful spring atmosphere in the riverine region.
For craftsmen here, each banh tet cake is not simply a livelihood product but also the crystallization of memories, of the family-inherited profession. Although the work requires meticulousness, persistence and continuous working for many hours, everyone maintains a cheerful spirit because they contribute to preserving the traditional craft of their homeland.
Attached to the profession since childhood, Mr. Thach Huy Quyen - 9 Di Tet cake establishment said that after studying, he decided to return to his hometown to follow in the family's footsteps. Up to now, he has more than 6 years of experience as a professional cake wrapper, proficient in each stage, from spreading leaves, adding glutinous rice, arranging filling to tying strings.
Tet season is the most difficult but also the happiest time. Every day I wrap about 500 cakes, earning from 600,000 to 800,000 VND, many times higher than usual days. Thanks to this profession, my family has conditions to take care of our children and celebrate Tet more properly," Mr. Quyen shared.
Sharing the same love for the profession, Mr. Son Ngoc Van - a seasonal cake wrapper - said that although working from 6 am to 10 pm, everyone in the workshop still maintains a comfortable spirit.
He is in charge of wrapping and shaping, completing about 300 cakes per day, earning nearly 500,000 VND. "Making Tet cakes is hard but fun, because I am contributing to preserving the craft of my hometown," Mr. Van said.
Sharp increase in output, labor welcomes prosperous Tet
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Phuc - Owner of Hai Ly Tet cake production facility, this year's Tet cake crop recorded a clear increase in orders. Thanks to actively promoting and participating in demonstration programs and introducing specialties in 2025, Tra Cuon Tet cake is increasingly known to consumers and ordered early.
Ms. Phuc said that Tet production in 2026 is expected to increase by 20-30% compared to the previous year. If in the Tet season last year, Hai Ly bakery produced about 20,000 taels, this year the number may reach 30,000 taels, forcing all stages to work overtime continuously to meet delivery schedules.
Increased output leads to a large labor demand. From a scale of only 5-7 regular workers, during the peak of Tet, Hai Ly bakery mobilizes from 20 to 100 workers per day. Wages are paid according to productivity and skills, ranging from 200,000 to 1.5 million VND/day, bringing in a significant income for rural workers.
“Labor has been attached for many years, working evenly, the income is very good. Many people thanks to making Tet cakes have money to repair houses, take care of children, and shop for a more dignified spring. I always remind brothers to keep hygiene, make cakes with heart to maintain brand reputation,” Ms. Phuc shared.
Mr. Chieu Thanh Phong - Vice Chairman of Vinh Kim Commune People's Committee - said that the entire craft village currently has 7 Tra Cuon Tet cake production facilities operating at full capacity. Especially during Tet, the facilities supply about 67,000 cakes to the market. In 2026, the craft village strives to achieve a production of about 260,000 cakes, with estimated revenue of 15 billion VND.
In parallel with production development, local authorities strengthen inspection and guidance for establishments to strictly comply with regulations on food safety and hygiene, wastewater treatment, environmental protection, and maintain the reputation of the "Tra Cuon Banh Tet" certification mark.
With the support of machinery, technology and the spirit of attachment to the profession of the people, Tra Cuon banh tet not only serves the domestic market but also aims to expand the market, gradually raising the value of specialties, bringing the Tet flavor of the Mekong Delta further," Mr. Phong added.
