US consul general wraps ‘banh chung’ with students in Ho Chi Minh City

On Monday, Saigontourist Hospitality College held its eighth traditional ‘banh chung’ wrapping contest, an annual Tet activity that brought together students, lecturers, and domestic and international guests ahead of Tet, which falls on February 17 this year.

A staple of Vietnam’s Tet celebrations, ‘banh chung’ is made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork wrapped in ‘dong’ (phrynium) leaves.

One scene drew particular attention as Brown actively took part alongside students at a table set up for wrapping the traditional cakes.

This year’s contest featured 33 teams of students from majors such as culinary arts, baking techniques, hotel and restaurant management, and tour guiding, alongside guest teams.

Participants competed in ‘banh chung’ wrapping and the presentation of Tet offering trays, a familiar and meaningful image in Vietnamese culture.

Under the guidance of Pham Thi Dong, a culinary expert and veteran ‘banh chung’ artisan, Brown followed each step attentively.

Dong demonstrated how to arrange the leaves in the proper direction, portion the rice by hand, and place the filling so the cake would cook evenly and maintain its square shape.

Brown’s initial movements were tentative, and the corners of her cake were slightly uneven. However, encouragement and cheerful laughter from students quickly lifted the mood around the table.

As she completed her ‘banh chung,’ she showed particular curiosity about the technique of tightening the strings to keep the cake intact during boiling.

Brown also listened as students shared the cultural significance of ‘banh chung’ in the Tet feast and recounted the legend of Prince Lang Lieu presenting the cake to the Hung King during the sixth Hung Dynasty.

Speaking at the event, Brown said Tet and traditional foods such as ‘banh chung’ represent not only Vietnam’s culinary heritage but also the values of family, sharing, and community bonding.

She noted that directly taking part in cultural activities with students helps international partners better understand these traditions and demonstrates how education, culture, and social responsibility can come together to foster closer and more sustainable cooperation between countries.

Organizers said all ‘banh chung’ made during the contest will be donated to disadvantaged households in Tan Thoi Hiep Ward as part of the community program ‘Xuan yeu thuong’ (Spring of love).