The 10th Southern Traditional Cake Festival was held in Cantho City from April 28 to May 2, showcasing an impressive variety of around 100 distinct savory and sweet cakes from southern Vietnam and other regions. Visitors were able to sample a range of delightful treats from the region, with an impressive selection of traditional cakes on display. It was an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to learn more about the unique flavors of southern Vietnam. The festival also featured a variety of entertainment, including traditional music and dancing, and was a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the culture of the region.
Hundreds of exquisite traditional Chinese cakes are made mainly from glutinous rice and sticky rice, wrapped in leaves, and flavored with a wide range of distinct flavors.
The week-long event featured an array of traditional cakes crafted by both professional bakers and locals who had inherited recipes from their ancestors.
The annual Southern Traditional Cake Festivals are a fantastic way to honor and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the South. From traditional recipes to modern twists, these festivals provide an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the diverse range of cakes that have been enjoyed for generations. Not only are these festivals a great way to sample delicious treats, but they also serve as a platform to help preserve and promote the traditional culinary values of the South. With an ever-growing selection of cakes to choose from, these festivals have become a global phenomenon, providing a unique chance for people of all backgrounds to come together and share in the joy of baking and savoring these delectable desserts.
Food at the yearly event is prepared using regional ingredients in time-honored and customary ways that have been passed down through generations. The traditional variety of cakes is praised for their nutritional benefits.
At the festival, visitors can sample a variety of traditional southern Vietnamese cakes, such as banh da lon (steamed tapioca layer cake), banh xeo (sizzling rice pancake), banh khot (deep-fried shrimp pancake), banh it tran (sticky rice dumpling), banh lot (rice pasta dessert), banh bo (steamed rice cake), banh la mo (Paederia foetida steamed rice cake) and banh chuoi hap (steamed banana cake). These delicious treats are sure to delight visitors of the festival!
Primary components of Vietnamese desserts typically include rice flour, sticky rice flour, puréed mung beans, tapioca starch, coconut milk, banana, durian, and taro. Further, these desserts can be colored with pandan leaves, red dragon fruit, and purple sweet potato, among other things.
Notably, more than one hundred artisans took part in a cooking competition, giving cooking demonstrations to festivalgoers.
Additionally, there will be children’s cooking classes, traditional games, and a food court serving additional delectable specialties from the southern province.
Around one million people are expected to flock to the festival over the course of five days. This is sure to be an event like no other, with a wide range of activities and entertainment on offer.
Given its close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho is a great place to experience exotic Vietnamese dishes with their authentic flavors. Whether it’s the freshness of the ingredients or the unique combinations of spices, Can Tho offers a delightful culinary experience. The city has a great variety of restaurants, from traditional family-run establishments to modern eateries, ensuring there’s something for everyone. With its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, Can Tho is the perfect place to get a taste of Vietnam.
| Â The 10th Southern Traditional Cake Festival takes place in Cantho City on April 28-May 2. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/Mekong Environment Forum (MEF) |
| Â The festival showcases typical kinds of cakes in Southern Vietnam and some other parts. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Baker prepares for the best served at the festival. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEFÂ |
| Â Some bakers join a cooking competition and present their dishes. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEFÂ |
| Â Distinctive kinds that are only found in the south. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Decoration rich in southern culture. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Cakes displayed in boat-shaped trays, some implication for the southern region. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Various kinds in different shapes. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEFÂ |
| Â Main ingredients of Southern traditional cakes are rice flour, beans, and coconut milk. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
|
Banh Da Lon, or Steamed Tapioca Layer Cake, is a traditional Vietnamese delicacy listed in the world-renowned experiential travel online guide, TasteAtlas. This delectable dessert is made with alternating layers of mung bean paste and tapioca, and is often served with a sweet and salty coconut cream sauce. On special occasions, the cake can also be garnished with sesame or roasted peanuts for extra flavor. Its unique texture and flavor make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike! Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Those are very eye-catching. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
|  Cake wrapped with coconut leaves – a favorite kind in the south. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
|  Banh xeo or sizzling rice pancake, a very popular kind in the region. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â Banh tet or sticky rice cake with various fillings, some sweet and some savory. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
.jpg)
| Cakes in distinctive shapes and colors for children. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â More options for festivalgoers. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF |
| Â The festival is also home to fruits. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEFÂ |
Cultural week brings a glimpse of Hungarian culture to Can Tho
NDO – A wide range of activities will be held under the framework of the Hungarian Cultural Week in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from November 14 to 17.
Vietnam boasts street food in Moscow
NDO –The Vietnamese Street Food Festival, the eight of its kind, opened at the Hanoi-Moscow Trade Centre complex (Incentra) in Moscow, Russia, on March 8, with the aim of promoting the Vietnamese culinary culture to Russian people and international friends.
Streetside service station serves up surprise
When you travel a long distance these days you stop by a service station to take a rest and get some food. The trick then was to spot where the trucks were to find good fresh at a reasonable price.
Thousands flock to Tay Thien festival in Vinh Phuc province
NDO – The annual Tay Thien Festival kicked off in Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province on March 20 (the fifteen day of the second lunar month), attracting thousands of visitors and local residents.
Rice paddy crab hotpot
Vietnamese cuisine revolves around produce found in the paddy fields. A nation with over a thousand years of wet rice culture, Vietnamese people have been using everything rice-related for centuries.
