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Violet cylindrical glutinous rice cake (Banh Tet la cam)

Banh Tet is the traditional cake of Southern people which are considered as a variant of Banh Chung, a long history cake in Vietnamese traditional cuisine, which was told through the legend of Lang Lieu Prince on the 6th Hung Kings of Vietnam.

Due to living conditions and characteristic ingredients of region, square shape of Banh Chung was changed into cylinder one of Banh Tet. Similar as Banh Chung, Banh Tet has a spiritual meaning on Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Especially, the image of whole family seating to package and cook Banh Tet in The Lunar New Year Eve has become cultural beauty of the Southern people.

Local people of different regions can create in ingredients to perfect Banh Tet for themselves and Can Tho is famous with Banh Tet La Cam – Violet cylindrical glutinous rice cake.

This kind of Banh Tet has lovely purple color around because sticky rice are soaked in purple water extracted from leaves of magenta plant.

Inside of the cake, there are tasty ingredients such as mung beans, pork, dried shrimps and salted egg yolks.

All things are tightly wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for hours. Now, Banh Tet is sold in many prestigious producers like Tu Dep, Chin Cam, Nam Hoa, Minh Tan…, traditional markets or even supermarkets at Can Tho city.