Banh Giay Lang Lieu – Specialty of Den Hung

When it comes to Banh Giay, a traditional Vietnamese rice cake, many people recall the legend of “Banh Chung Banh Giay” associated with Lang Lieu offering these cakes to King Hung as a precious treasure. This aromatic, sticky, and smooth cake carries profound meaning. Even today, people still offer Banh Giay to King Hung on every occasion of the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival to express gratitude to King Hung, the founder of our nation. Visitors to the national historical site of Den Hung will have the opportunity to enjoy Banh Giay Lang Lieu, made by the hands of the people of the Land of Ancestors.

These Banh Giay Lang Lieu cakes are made from the main ingredient, sticky rice with yellow flower. The rice is soaked in clean water, then hand-ground and molded into small, round, and smooth Banh Giay cakes. The process of making the cake filling is quite intricate, requiring the skill of the maker. The filling is made from green beans, soaked and peeled, cooked until soft, then mashed into a smooth consistency. Finally, it is shaped into small, delicate portions. Once the dough and filling are ready, the maker places the filling in the middle, molds it into charming cakes, and adds a touch of banana leaves cut into circles, enhancing the cake’s aroma and the distinctive culinary style of the Land of Ancestors.

In the present era of industrial development, where modern machines prevail, Banh Giay Lang Lieu is still entirely handmade using the traditional hand-grinding method. A notable example is the Long Hang specialty Banh Giay production facility, which produces delicious Banh Giay for sale to tourists, each package bearing the label of the production facility with comprehensive information about the address, ingredients, contact number, production date, and expiration date. Many tourists express that the special Banh Giay of Phu Tho sold at Den Hung is delicious, especially when it is freshly ground and still warm. Moreover, it is a gift closely associated with the legend of the Land of Ancestors, making it even more beloved and chosen as a gift.

The white, sticky, and fragrant Banh Giay Lang Lieu, with its unique flavor, has become a favorite gift from the Land of Ancestors for many tourists to buy and present to their loved ones and friends. During the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival on the 10th day of the third lunar month every year, the altar cannot be without the specialty Banh Chung and Banh Giay – the square and round cakes symbolizing the land and the sky.

When visiting the national historical site of Den Hung, tourists are not only captivated by the beauty of the landscape but also get to savor the rustic specialties of the people of the Land of Ancestors. Upon leaving, tourists do not forget to buy Banh Giay Lang Lieu, fragrant and rich in flavor, to give to their relatives.