2.5-ton rice cake made for Hung Kings’ death anniversary in Saigon’s park

The Dam Sen Cultural Park hired 50 artisans to make and boil a giant square-shaped glutinous rice cake weighing 2.5 tons to offer to the Hung Kings, the founders and the first protectors of Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11, HCM City on April 14 hired 50 artisans to make and boil a giant banh chung (square-shaped glutinous rice cake) weighing 2.5 tons to offer to the Hung Kings, the founders and the first protectors of the country, at the Hung Kings’ death anniversary on the 10th day of the third lunar month (April 17th).

This year, the anniversary ceremony themed “Toward the Ancestral Land” will last three days at the park, from the 10th to the 12th of the third lunar month (April 16 to 18).

The Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary 2016 will kick off on the morning of April 16 at the park’s Au Lac Square.

Apart from staging scenes depicting how Hung Kings founded and protected the country, one of the highlights will be literature and martial arts performances.

Literature performance written by Professor Vu Khieu highlights the love of the current generations for their ancestors as well as wishes for peace and happiness. Martial arts performances will be staged by the national martial arts team.

Another highlight of the celebration is the ritual for offerings. This year, for the first time ever, the organizers will dedicate a giant banh chung, paying respect and gratitude to the ancestors.

The giant banh chung weighs 2.5 tons, including 1,200 kilograms of glutinous rice, 300 kilograms of mung beans, 200 kilograms of pork, 300 kilograms of banana leaves and 50 kilograms of dong (Phrynium placentarium) leaves.

To be cooked for 70 hours, it needs more than 50 artisans who take part in the preparing, wrapping and cooking processes. After the ritual for offerings, the cake will be exhibited and shared among more than 1,000 guests at 10 a.m. on April 17.

For fans of cai luong (southern opera), “Sac Viet” program performed at Au Lac Square at 5 p.m. on April 16 allows them to meet their admired stars.

A cake-making contest entitled “Toward the Ancestral Land” will be also a first-time program of the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary 2016.

Scheduled at 8 a.m. on April 16 at the park’s Nam Tu Thuong Uyen area, the contest will attract 50 teams from primary, secondary and high schools in HCMC.

More than 100 traditional Vietnamese cakes made of popular kinds of flour and beans, and eye-catching decorations will enter this contest.

All the proceeds will be used for scholarships granted to children of teachers and needy workers.

Activities for children are included in the programs. For instance, the “Toward the Ancestral Land” parade at 10:30 a.m. on April 17 will stage more than 60 actors and actresses who will play the role of Hung Kings, Au Co (legendary mother of the Vietnamese), Lac Long Quan (legendary father of the Vietnamese), Thanh Giong (legendary hero of Vietnam), Son Tinh (God of Mountain) and Thuy Tinh (God of Water), to name just a few.

Other highlights include “Toward the Ancestral Land” music show on Ngoi Sao stage and “Son Tinh-Thuy Tinh” drama, “Ha ram Ha rac” puppet show, circus performances and magic shows on De Men stage. Kylin dance and mascot activation at entrance gates designed to entertain visitors and children.

Let’s see how artisans make the 2.5 ton banh chung through pictures:

Để làm chiếc bánh chưng khổng lồ dâng Quốc tổ Hùng Vương, Công viên Đầm Sen phải huy động 50 người với nhiều công đoạn gói, nấu bánh khác thường.