Sticky rice dumplings are in high demand at traditional markets in Hanoi, including Thanh Ha, Hang Be, and Cau Dong.
Local markets are bustling on the morning of April 10th as people prepare floating dumplings to honor their ancestors during the Cold Food Festival.
Bánh trôi are small white dumplings made of glutinous rice flour with brown sugar filling, while Bánh chay are larger and filled with mung bean paste.
It is estimated that each business uses between 80 kg and 100 kg of rice powder daily to make floating dumplings.
Stores offer pre-made dumplings as well as ingredients for customers to make their own fresh dumplings.
A vendor at Thanh Ha market says that her family often works through the night to meet the high demand for dumplings.
A plate of Bánh trôi and a bowl of Bánh chay typically costs between VND15,000 and VND20,000.
Traditionally, these dumplings are plain and sweet, but skilled cooks add food coloring or flavoring to make them more visually appealing and delectable.
You may also like

The Cold Food Festival in Vietnam

It is unknown when banh troi and banh chay (white sticky rice balls) became a popular food during Han Thuc (Cold Food) Festival which falls on March 3 of the lunar calendar. Some people believe that the custom of making these cakes appeared in the dynasty of Hung kings to commemorate Mother Au Co who gave birth to 100 eggs which hatched 100 sons.

Recipe Banh Troi nuoc (Vietnamese glutinous rice ball) – Cold Food Festival sweet desserts

Whether you’re a family with young kids or young adults, on Mar 3 (of lunar calendar) they are all making or buying Banh Troi and Banh Chay in celebration of Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival).

Cold Food Festival: History, Significance, Traditional Food

Tet Han Thuc (Cold Foods Festival) is a traditional festival of Vietnamese which takes place on the 3rd day of the third lunar month of the year.

Hanoi special sweet dumplings for Han Thuc Festival

The ready-made ingredients to make Han Thuc’s festival specialties has been plenty in both local and online markets for expats in Hanoi to buy and delight their children at home with a Vietnamese cooking lesson.

Floating cakes for Cold Foods Festival

The third day of the third lunar month is the Cold Foods Festival of Vietnamese people. During this day, every household prepare traditional floating cakes, ‘banh troi’ (made of bits of brown sugar wrapped in glutinous rice paste and cooked by scalding in boiling water) and ‘banh chay’ (glutinous rice balls with mung beans filling, served in fragrant sweet soup) to offer to their ancestors.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR