What's so appealing about sticky rice cakes (Bánh chưng) with American pork?

(NLĐO) – The traditional Vietnamese rice cake wrapping competition with American pork, held to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, contributes to connecting the culinary essence of Vietnam and the United States.

On January 26th, Saigontourist Vocational School of Tourism and Hotel Management, in collaboration with the U.S. Meat Export Association (USMEF), the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Saigontourist Group Trade Union, and the Saigontourist School's Trade Union, organized the "8th Traditional Rice Cake Wrapping Competition with American Pork" to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Horse 2026.

This year's competition brought together 33 competing teams, including student teams from Saigontourist University across various majors, as well as guest teams from member trade union units within the Saigontourist Group system.

The 8th Traditional Vietnamese Rice Cake Wrapping Contest with American Pork was a lively event.

Many foreigners enthusiastically participated in the banh chung wrapping competition.

Through each stage, from preparing ingredients and wrapping the cakes to finishing and presenting the products, the competing teams demonstrated their professional skills, conveyed their love for the craft, and preserved the traditional culinary values ​​of the nation.

"These traditional Vietnamese pastries with American pork rib filling represent a delicate fusion of Vietnamese and American cuisine – where traditional values ​​are renewed with modern thinking, creating a product that is both familiar and unique, fitting the integration trend of the culinary industry. This program is an annual activity deeply rooted in cultural identity, and also a meaningful career platform for students, staff, and employees of the school and units within the Saigontourist Group system. Through this, it contributes to preserving and promoting the essence of Vietnamese cuisine and strengthening international culinary cultural exchange," said Ms. Vo Thi My Van, Principal of Saigontourist Tourism and Hotel Vocational School.

The finished cakes from the competition will be donated to disadvantaged people in Tan Thoi Hiep ward through the "Spring of Love 2026" program, thereby spreading the spirit of mutual support, sharing, and community bonding in the early days of the new year.

Lao students participating in the competition.

Through this competition, Saigontourist Tourism and Hotel Vocational School stated that it not only aims to train students with excellent professional skills and expertise, but also focuses on cultivating humanistic values, fostering compassion, and making positive contributions to the community and the sustainable development of Vietnam's tourism industry.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/banh-chung-with-american-pork-what-is-attractive-196260126145145963.htm