International tourists enthusiastically make banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

On the morning of February 8th, The Cliff Resort & Residences in Phu Thuy ward (Lam Dong province) held the 13th annual Banh Chung Festival for tourists staying and vacationing in the coastal area of ​​Lam Dong province.

The chef at The Cliff Resort & Residences guides guests through the steps of making banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake).

This is an event to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. The highlight of this year's festival is the competition for international visitors to make banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) using dong leaves.

Over 200 tourists from various countries such as Australia, Finland, Russia, Germany, etc., had the opportunity to experience wearing traditional Vietnamese ethnic costumes and personally wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) in dong leaves.

Besides the area dedicated to the Banh Chung Festival, there are also many food stalls featuring traditional Tet dishes such as braised bamboo shoots and banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake) to serve visitors.

Banh chung is an indispensable dish during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. However, it is quite unfamiliar to international visitors. After being introduced to the history and significance of the cake in Vietnamese culinary culture, especially during Tet, tourists begin to try their hand at making banh chung.

Regardless of cultural background, the atmosphere of the Banh Chung (Vietnamese rice cake) festival in the coastal region of Lam Dong becomes even more special when visitors can interact with each other.

Using ingredients such as glutinous rice, mung beans, pork, banana leaves, string, and cake molds, tourists attentively listen to instructions while meticulously performing each step, from arranging the leaves in the mold, then adding the glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork... to tying the cake with string.

Making a traditional Vietnamese rice cake (bánh chưng) is an emotional experience for many tourists, especially international tourists.

Guests are guided through the steps of making banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) by staff at The Cliff Resort & Residences.

Kristina, a tourist from Russia, said: "I have participated in this Banh Chung festival in Vietnam many times before and I really like the meaning of Banh Chung as well as the traditional culture of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. I really enjoy the atmosphere of everyone participating in wrapping Banh Chung and wearing traditional costumes on Tet. This is a very meaningful festival."

Kristina, a tourist from Russia, wearing a traditional Vietnamese blouse, participated in a class to learn how to make banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake).

This year's Banh Chung Festival, held in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, combined with the chilly weather, created a unique and special Tet flavor experience for visitors.

Mr. Antier, a tourist from Germany, said: "I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting here. The way it was organized made everyone happy and excited. The Tet flowers here are so colorful, and it feels like the bustling atmosphere of the Vietnamese New Year. Making banh chung (traditional rice cakes) wasn't easy for me at all, even though I've tried many times, but I still found it very enjoyable."

Attracting 200 visitors from various countries and ethnic backgrounds, the Banh Chung Festival was held.

In addition, the 2026 Banh Chung Festival space will also feature stalls recreating some traditional Tet activities such as: calligraphy writing, making clay figurines, bamboo leaf grasshoppers, and food stalls with traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh chung, banh tet, herring spring rolls, and com (young sticky rice)...

Visitors can also immerse themselves in the atmosphere of music and folk games.

Visitors here can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional Lunar New Year while eagerly exploring and learning about the traditional spring cuisine of Vietnam.

Tourist couple Chere Pannov proudly shows off their creations after learning how to wrap banh chung (Vietnamese rice cakes).

The Banh Chung Festival at The Cliff Resort & Residences is not only a playground for tourists staying in Phan Thiet - Mui Ne, but also an opportunity to introduce the traditional beauty of the Vietnamese Tet holiday to international friends. Not only tourists from diverse cultures, but even overseas Vietnamese will be moved as they immerse themselves in this special festival imbued with the spirit of the Vietnamese Tet.

Traditional Vietnamese music performances are held to entertain tourists during the Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration.

Over the years, the Banh Chung Festival has become an event that attracts tourists to Mui Ne beach every spring, to remember their roots and together create a unique, authentic Vietnamese cultural experience for international friends.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/du-khach-quoc-te-hao-hung-goi-banh-chung-an-tet-viet-423344.html