Villagers in central Hue are busy making banh in (a traditional cake made from green beans and sugar) to prepare for Tet.

For hundreds of years, the village of Kim Long, located in the ward of the same name, has been famous for its cakes, which are molded with the word “tho”, or longevity. At present day, around 30 families keep up the ancient cake making tradition.

Legend has it that many years ago, a king told old men in Kim Long, “People here are well-known for their capability. You should think up the recipe for a local speciality, both appetising and cheap; something I can enjoy with my tea.”

After discussing the question for some days, they decided that the village would make cakes from green beans, which were abundant in the area, and sugar. They also created molds to resemble the word “tho”, as a blessing to the king who made the request.

As time went by, the people of the village began to make other types of cakes, such as banh bot sen (made from sticky rice and lotus seed), banh thap (which resembles a tower), and banh ngu sac (five-colour cake).

Some images from Kim Long village:

Sifting green beans

Cake with the blessing, “tho”

Filling the mold

Sticky rice cake resembles lotus

Banh mang (made with sticky rice, seasame, coconut, sugar)

Villagers making cakes

Wrapping

Finished cakes

Final product