"Banh Chung" - The soul of Vietnamese New Year (Photo: VNA)
For
the Vietnamese, making Banh Chung is an ideal way to express gratitude to their
ancestors and homeland.
“Banh
Chung” was invented by the 18th prince of Hung King in the contest of looking
for his successor.
According
to the legend, 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu made round and square
cakes, with the round Day cake symbolising the sky and the square Chung cake,
the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), as offerings on the
occasion of Spring.
In
the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Banh Chung has square shape
to reflect the Earth.
Since
the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, Lang Lieu was
selected to be the next king.
Since
then, in honor of this, Vietnamese people always make and have this for the
Lunar New Year. Chung cake has become the most famous and irreplaceable
traditional Vietnamese food in Tet holiday.
This
legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition as well as
the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasises the important role of rice
and nature in the water rice culture.
In
contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Banh Chung is
time-consuming and requires the joint work of several people.
Main
ingredients are glutinous rice, pork, and green beans wrapped square in
broad-blade leaves that will give the rice a green color after about 12 hours'
boiling. The wrapping power must be neither too tight nor too loose.
The
food has a high level of nutrition with an original tasty flavor and may be
kept for a long time. Eating Banh Chung with vegetable pickles will bring you
unforgettable taste.
In
the traditional conception of Vietnamese people, the process of making Banh
Chung is an opportunity for the family’s reunion. Sitting around the fire,
family members tell one another the past stories and are ready for a New Year
with best wishes.
Nowadays,
in some big cities, the business lifestyle of modern society prevents people
from preparing the cake, however the habit of worship ancestors with it never
changes. It is the evidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and deep gratitude to
ancestors.
By VNA