As one of the typical cakes of Vietnamese people during the Doan Ngo festival, banh u la tre is chosen by many people to worship their grandparents and ancestors. Nowadays, due to busy work, there is no time to wrap the cake themselves, so instead, many people buy it at the market or supermarket for convenience in worshiping.
Meet buyer needs
In recent days, at the bamboo leaf banh u wrapping facility of Ms. Ha Thi Thuy Oanh, Long Thanh Trung ward, Hoa Thanh town, more than 20 workers have been busy wrapping, cooking and delivering cakes continuously to sell in time for the Doan Ngo festival. The one-way production model that she has applied for nearly 8 years, along with the delicious flavor of the cakes, has helped the facility become a famous bamboo leaf banh u brand in the region.
Ms. Ha Thi Thuy Oanh said that to prepare for this year's bamboo leaf cake making, her facility has prepared nearly 2 tons of sticky rice and raw materials such as bamboo leaves, green beans, strings, palm sugar, etc. From the 28th of the 4th lunar month, the facility started fermenting the sticky rice, then on the 3rd of the 5th lunar month, she focused on workers to wrap the cakes, cook the cakes, and deliver the cakes according to customers' orders.
With over 20 years of experience in making banh chung, Ms. Oanh always pays attention to the fermentation stage. According to her, the fermentation stage also requires precise timing so that when cooked, the dough is not too mushy or bitter. The filling must be made in batches continuously to keep up with the banh chung wrapping schedule. The banh chung stove is also kept on fire for 3 days, from the 3rd to the 5th of the 5th lunar month, to deliver the banh chung to customers on time for the Doan Ngo festival.
With an abundant source of customers from all districts, towns and cities in the province, Ms. Oanh's banh u facility operates annually during the Doan Ngo festival and creates extra jobs and improves income for dozens of local people.
“I have maintained this cake wrapping job for over 20 years thanks to the trust of customers and the desire to create more income for the people in the neighborhood. Every Tet holiday, people come to make cakes by themselves, creating a joyful atmosphere, making the Doan Ngo festival more meaningful,” Ms. Oanh shared.
In traditional markets and social networks, bamboo leaf sticky rice cakes are also displayed and sold, creating a bustling atmosphere before the Doan Ngo festival. The cakes cost from 30,000 VND - 50,000 VND/string/10 pieces.
Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Bich, residing in Ward IV, Tay Ninh City, a vendor who has been selling banh u la tre for many years, said that this year, she mainly sells by order. She posted on social media, received orders more than half a month before Doan Ngo festival and started wrapping the cakes on the 3rd day of the 5th lunar month.
Bamboo leaf sticky rice cakes can be kept for 3-5 days and can only be sold during the Doan Ngo festival, so this year she wrapped a few hundred cakes because she saw that business was more difficult than before. However, this is also a typical cake during this occasion and is a job that generates additional income for her every year.
Keep traditional beauty
The business of making bamboo cakes during the Doan Ngo festival is not only a business or an extra income, but also a way to preserve the traditional beauty of the nation in the lives of Vietnamese people. Many establishments making bamboo cakes are people who have been making cakes for many years and have experience. They are also the ones who "keep the fire" for the traditional cake making profession.
According to Ms. Ha Thi Thuy Oanh, Long Thanh Trung ward, Hoa Thanh town, the job of wrapping banh u la tre for more than 20 years has created a stable source of income for her family.
Therefore, she has taught her children the craft so that they can both preserve the craft and the traditional beauty of the nation. For the past few years, she has been teaching her daughter the experience of making cakes, from fermenting sticky rice to cooking delicious cakes. She hopes that the traditional craft of making cakes will attract more attention from young people.
The job of wrapping banh u la tre also brings joy to many people who are attached to the job. Ms. Vo Thi Gon is a long-time banh u la tre wrapper at Ms. Ha Thi Thuy Oanh's banh u la tre wrapper facility. Although she is nearly 80 years old, she is still agile in wrapping the cakes, with a string of cakes she can make in just a few minutes.
Mrs. Gon shared that she has known how to make cakes since she was a child. In the past, she only wrapped cakes for her family to worship their ancestors. Since working at this facility, wrapping cakes has become her joy every Doan Ngo festival. “Working and chatting with my grandchildren makes me happier than when I am at home. The job also helps me earn a little extra income for pocket money. That makes me happy!” Mrs. Gon said with a smile.
Also working in the bamboo leaf cake making business at Ms. Oanh’s establishment for more than 7 years, Mr. Pham Tan Tai, residing in Long Thanh Trung ward, Hoa Thanh town, said that he works in the stages of cooking, turning, and drying the cakes. Although standing in the kitchen all day is a bit hot, the job has brought him a lot of joy.
“The job not only gives me a stable income but also helps me be aware of preserving traditional customs. After work, each person brings home a few banh chung with bamboo leaves to worship their ancestors, so it feels cozy,” Mr. Tai shared.
Linh San
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nhon-nhip-nghe-goi-banh-u-la-tre-dip-tet-doan-ngo-a190770.html
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