Pious Offerings: Fragrant Cakes for the Kings

The rhythmic thumping of pestles pounding dough blends with the heady aroma of glutinous rice and the fresh scent of green dong leaves, spreading across the Festival Center of the Hung Temple Historic Site. The 1st Phu Tho Province Banh Chung Wrapping and Banh Giay Pounding Contest is taking place with great excitement. This is more than just a competition of skill; each square banh chung and pristine white banh giay encapsulates the profound reverence and the moral of “When drinking water, remember its source,” as descendants offer their best to the Ancestors.

A panoramic bird’s-eye view of the contest at the Ceremonial Center (Hung Temple).

A vast crowd of residents and tourists eagerly watching the teams compete.

With a calm and confident demeanor, artisans from Cluster 1 demonstrate their swift and skillful hands in the banh chung wrapping category.

Women of the Ancestral Land skillfully fold leaves and tie bamboo strings to create perfectly square, verdant cakes.

Other team members meticulously decorate the offering trays, harmoniously combining the cakes with fresh flowers.

A close-up of a banh chung after it has been cooked.

The Board of Judges seriously carries out the scoring, carefully evaluating the appearance and quality of each tray.

Combining the strength of youth with the experience of elders is the strategy for Cluster 6 as they enter the banh giay pounding contest.

Members working in perfect harmony, uniting their efforts.

A fierce competitive atmosphere at Cluster 3’s station, where members give their all for "the pride of their colors."

Relying solely on experience, precisely cutting the dough into equal portions before shaping them.

Parallel to the collective strength in the pounding phase, each team requires meticulousness and finesse in decoration and presentation to earn high marks.

Artisans from Cluster 9 reverently arrange their banh giay tray.

Each tray of cakes conveys messages and prayers for a year of favorable weather and bountiful harvests.

A panoramic view of the contest from above – a vivid picture of solidarity and deep reverence from the people of Phu Tho, joining hands to preserve and pass on the unique values of the Hung King Worship Belief for generations to come.

Le Hoang