Rice cakes from the new rice harvest season.

The process of pounding rice cakes at OCOP product promotion and introduction events attracts a large number of tourists to visit and enjoy.

The process of pounding rice cakes at OCOP product promotion and introduction events attracts a large number of tourists who come to visit and enjoy the experience.

During the cold, frosty winter days, the village of Na Rao in Phong Quang commune becomes warm with the cheerful sounds of laughter and conversation around the glowing hearth. In the kitchen, the women gather to steam freshly cooked sticky rice, roast peanuts, and sesame seeds, creating a simple yet poetic picture of everyday life.

That seemingly simple working atmosphere is deeply imbued with the unique culture of the local people, both everyday and embodying the essence of generations of traditions, blended with the warm togetherness of the highland community.

Ms. Hoang Thi Tan, a respected figure in Na Rao village, Phong Quang commune, said: "The sticky rice cakes this season are very chewy because the new glutinous rice is fragrant. With rice from our own fields, eating a piece of cake feels more fulfilling."

Sticky rice cakes are typically made right after the rice harvest, a time when people finish a year of hard work and express their gratitude through the new rice crop. The process of making these cakes is both simple and sacred, a way of showing appreciation to heaven and earth, ancestors, and their own hard work. These sticky rice cakes are not just food, but also symbols of togetherness, abundance, and new hope.

In this festive atmosphere celebrating the new rice harvest, there will be no shortage of children from the highlands. Children happily run and play around the stilt houses, while the elderly gather around the fire, sharing stories of the harvest and life. Since ancient times, the villagers have known how to make sticky rice cakes after the harvest to offer to their ancestors and share among themselves as a blessing of the new season.

Over the years, sticky rice cakes have also been sold, becoming a stable source of income for many families, while preserving a traditional custom amidst changing times. According to many elderly people in the highlands, one of the secrets to the cake's distinctive flavor is the way it's wrapped in banana leaves. The vibrant green leaves help the cake stay soft and chewy for longer and absorb its natural aroma.

Not only within families, sticky rice cakes (bánh giầy) also appear at conferences, festivals, and product exhibitions, becoming "cultural ambassadors" of the mountainous region, promoting the beauty of labor, creativity, and community spirit of the people. At the beginning of spring, many localities organize sticky rice cake pounding competitions, where teams compete to pound glutinous rice until smooth and shape the cakes into beautiful round shapes, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere at the start of the year.

Ms. Ma Thi Hac, a frequent participant in the Long Tong festival, shared: "The competition not only showcases skillful craftsmanship but also preserves cultural values and sends wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year. I always put my heart into each cake I make to give to visitors from near and far, and through that, I contribute to preserving and promoting the unique cultural features of the locality."

Sticky rice, combined with various natural ingredients such as gac fruit, mugwort leaves, and purple sticky rice leaves, creates delicious and colorful rice cakes.

Sticky rice cakes, made during the new rice harvest season, are not only a traditional dish but also a symbol of reunion and joy after a year of hard work. From fragrant, sticky rice grains, through the skillful hands of mothers and grandmothers, sticky rice cakes become a spiritual gift, connecting generations and preserving long-standing cultural values.

In the bustling atmosphere of the harvest season, the sound of pestles, the laughter of children, and the stories of the elderly blend together, creating a vibrant picture of the lives of the highland people, conveying a message of gratitude, hope, and aspirations for a bountiful and prosperous new year...

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