The bustling sounds of motorbikes whizzing by, dogs barking in the distance, and the gentle rustling of trees set the backdrop as I sat in the backyard of my wife’s family home in rural Binh Duong Province, just outside the bustling Ho Chi Minh City. It was here that I witnessed the time-honored tradition of making bánh chưng before Tết, a special festival.
Bánh chưng, a delicacy deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, is a traditional food exclusively served during Tết. It has a long history, dating back to the sixth Hùng Dynasty, and its legend is intertwined with the very fabric of Vietnamese heritage.
This unique dish is crafted from glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, carefully wrapped in lá dong (dong leaves). A similar treat, bánh tét, shares the same core ingredients but takes the form of a cylinder, differing from the traditional square shape of bánh chưng.
As I observed my father-in-law’s meticulous preparation, his passion and dedication to this once-a-year delicacy were palpable. The act of sharing these hefty rice cakes with loved ones during Tết is an honor and a symbol of unity and celebration.
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| My father-in-law, an artist in his own right, meticulously wraps each ‘bánh chưng’ with precision and care. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News |
While bánh chưng is a beloved tradition for locals, it holds a different significance for foreigners. The best way to describe this culinary experience is ‘heavy.’ One slice is a meal in itself, leaving you satisfied for a day or more. The dense, compacted sticky rice and hearty bean filling create a substantial dish.
Last year, I received a bánh chưng as a gift, and its weight in my hands felt like holding a precious treasure. It was an offering of generosity and cultural exchange.
The construction of this food is a masterpiece in itself: a solid bean core, enveloped in a layer of sticky rice, and wrapped in a special leaf, all secured with a traditional string. This string not only ensures easy transport but also serves as a clever cutting tool, adding a unique twist to the dining experience.
However, my appreciation for this traditional dish ends there. As a foreigner, the heavy carbohydrate load of a single slice often leaves me feeling uncomfortably full, sometimes even unwell, for the rest of the day.
It’s not that bánh chưng tastes unpleasant; on the contrary, it has a distinct flavor. But the extreme richness of the dish is overwhelming, and it’s easy to overeat, especially when visiting multiple families during Tết.
And let’s not forget the calorie count! With 4, 5, or even 6 family homes to visit during the Tết days, your calorie intake is sure to skyrocket.
Yet, bánh chưng is more than just a Tết delicacy. It’s a dish that lasts well beyond the festive season, often finding its way into refrigerators for weeks afterward. And that’s where the true surprise lies—coming home from work to find fried bánh chưng, kimchi, and a hearty meat dish for dinner.
In my opinion, this unexpected treat captures the true traditional aspect of bánh chưng that I’ve grown to appreciate.
As I watch my father-in-law and his family dedicate an entire day to preparing these packets, I understand that their labor of love goes beyond a once-a-year indulgence. It’s a gift that embodies the warmth and kindness of the Vietnamese spirit.
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| ‘Bánh chưng’ is a labor of love, requiring many hours of cooking to achieve the perfect texture and flavor. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News |
Bánh chưng encapsulates the very essence of Tết and the deep sense of community that Vietnam embodies. As the legend from the sixth Hùng Dynasty suggests, it is a dish that holds within it the soul of a nation.
This year, I will once again be offered an abundance of bánh chưng. I will politely decline as much as possible, knowing that come February and March, I will still find it on my dinner plate. But most importantly, I will cherish the moments spent with my family, witnessing the kindness and generosity that goes into preparing each bánh chưng gift they will share this year.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới and chúc sức khỏe – wishing good health and happiness to all.
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| The author’s wife (L) prepares traditional Vietnamese Tet desserts, a heartwarming sight. Photo: Ray Kuschert / Tuoi Tre News |
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