What makes Vung Tau’s salted egg sponge cake so popular?

In recent years, the salted egg sponge cake has become a signature treat in coastal Vung Tau, often chosen by tourists as a gift to bring home. 

Behind its popularity lies quiet but fierce competition among local bakeries.

A 'maze' of bakeries

When talking about Vung Tau’s salted egg sponge cake, one cannot miss Cay Cot Dien, one of the oldest and most well-known brands among visitors.

Owner Ngoc Duy said that around 2000, he followed in the footsteps of his mother, who had been selling sponge cakes since 1968, by setting up a small cake cart near his Cay Cot Dien banh khot (mini savory Vietnamese pancakes) shop.

Customers who came for banh khot often picked up a few boxes of salted egg sponge cakes to enjoy or give as gifts.

As the business grew, Duy upgraded it to a more modern and professional bakery in 2019, with improved packaging and presentation.

At the Cay Cot Dien shop, uniformed staff serve customers and offer recommendations, while a baker swiftly prepares cakes on-site, giving visitors a glimpse into the baking process.

In addition to Cay Cot Dien, Golden and Davi on Le Hong Phong Street are among the most well-known sponge cake brands in Vung Tau, alongside dozens of other names now found throughout the coastal ward.

Founded in 2015, Golden has become a favorite among young customers thanks to its wide variety of offerings.

The shop alone features 28 types of salted egg sponge cakes.

Slightly lower prices compared to other bakeries also give Golden a competitive edge. It currently operates three branches.

While it may attract fewer customers than Golden at certain times, Davi is far from second-tier.

Also known for its diverse selection of cakes, the brand boasts 12 branches, seven of which are located along the bustling Hoang Hoa Tham Street, a hotspot that is always packed with tourists.

Besides, brands such as A Ty, Nguyen Hoang, Tan Phat, Anh Tuan, and Ngoc Hiep, each with one or more branches, have contributed to a 'maze' of salted egg sponge cake shops across Vung Tau.

Affordable, trendy, tasty

Anh Quynh, 27, from Bay Hien Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, said she and her friends always buy salted egg sponge cakes as a gift whenever they visit Vung Tau.

“Vung Tau’s salted egg sponge cake is soft, fluffy, and rich with the aroma of eggs,” she commented.

“It’s not too sweet, and the salted egg yolk adds a creamy, savory touch.

“The shops here are quick to catch youth trends.

"Every time I visit, the menu seems to grow longer with more varieties to choose from.”

Traditional salted egg sponge cakes in Vung Tau are priced between VND25,000 (US$0.95) and VND30,000 ($1.14) per box which contains nine to 10 mini cakes.

Other variations with different toppings and sauces range from VND35,000 ($1.34) VND60,000 ($2.28) per box.

Affordable, neatly packaged, and widely appealing in taste, Vung Tau’s salted egg sponge cake has become a popular snack, especially among young people.