People are busily wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to share with needy families.

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), many neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City are busy wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and preparing gifts for the poor and people with disabilities. From banh chung wrapping competitions to charity markets, the spring atmosphere spreads through the collective efforts of the community, contributing to a warm and fulfilling Tet season for every family.

Wards in Ho Chi Minh City are organizing the making of banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to give as Tet gifts to the poor.

The usually peaceful space on Dang Tat Street (Tan Dinh Ward) has become more vibrant today with Tet decorations, string lights, golden apricot blossoms, and tables set up in front of houses for wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). A banh chung wrapping competition was organized, attracting many people to participate in preserving traditional customs and preparing gifts for needy families.

Fresh green banana leaves, white sticky rice, mung beans, and pork were carefully prepared; teams representing neighborhoods and units in the area gathered together to wrap the cakes in an enthusiastic atmosphere.

Local people, along with local organizations, participated in making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) for Tet.

In collaboration with the local community, Yamamoto - Huynh Trading and Import-Export Co., Ltd. joined hands with philanthropists to prepare 600 sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng) and 200 gift packages to distribute to people with disabilities and disadvantaged families. Ms. Huynh Thi Mong Tuyen, Director of Yamamoto - Huynh Company, said that every year the company organizes a program to cook sticky rice cakes and give Tet gifts, aiming to share with people in need during the Tet holiday.

Tan Dinh Ward organized a competition to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to be given as Tet gifts to disadvantaged households. Photo: Quang Liem

People gather to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) in a lively atmosphere in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

Meanwhile, in Ward 1, Dong Hung Thuan commune, 100 sticky rice cakes were also carefully prepared to be given to elderly people living alone and poor households. The "Spring of Solidarity - Tet of Compassion" program has become a familiar activity proactively organized by the people themselves.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thong, a local resident facing hardship, emotionally shared that this year his family celebrated Tet with more peace of mind thanks to receiving banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and gifts from the neighborhood. According to Mr. Thong, the most valuable thing for him is not just the gifts, but the concern of his neighbors, the feeling of being shared with, and not being left behind.

People take commemorative photos with the fruits of their labor. Photo: Quang Liem

Meanwhile, in Phu Lam ward, the "Sharing Love" charity market distributed 270 gift packages, each worth over 500,000 VND, containing essential goods and 15 types of vegetables and fruits; the Women's Union of the ward, in coordination with Ngoc Lam Buddhist temple, also distributed an additional 100 gift packages to women in difficult circumstances.

People inspect the banh chung (Vietnamese rice cake) after cooking.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Trang, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Phu Lam Ward, said that this year's Tet holiday saw the locality focusing on implementing many practical activities to care for vulnerable groups.

The association organized gift-giving for women in the boarding house area and visually impaired women; at the same time, it encouraged members to cook braised pork with eggs to send to elderly people living alone. Although the gifts were not large, they contained care and sharing, contributing to helping people have a warmer and more meaningful Tet holiday.

From steaming pots of banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to heartwarming markets, Tet in Ho Chi Minh City is being illuminated by sharing.

On the same day, the People's Committee of Gia Dinh Ward organized the "Spring of Solidarity - Tet of Compassion" 2026 festival at the Le Van Duyet Mausoleum historical and cultural site. The festival attracted a large number of participants with activities such as a Vietnamese Tet decoration contest, a solidarity meal, a Vietnamese goods market for the Year of the Horse, and a New Year's greeting card design competition. More than 1,000 gifts were also distributed to near-poor households, orphans affected by COVID-19, and workers and employees in difficult circumstances in the area.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/nguoi-dan-ron-ranggoi-banh-chung-se-chia-cung-cac-gia-dinh-kho-khan-20260208173537164.htm