Carved moon cakes are meticulously worked by the hands of dedicated artisans. Between 200-300 traditional moon cakes can be produced in a day but just 80-100 carved pattern moon cakes can be made. 

    It takes artisans hours to create the Japanese style carved moon cakes.

The busy mooncake market offers handmade cakes in different shapes and flavours. 

A local artisan in HCM City named Bich Ngoc says baking the cakes is the most difficult stage as the colour of cakes is created by the natural colours of fruit and vegetables.

At peak season, Ms Ngoc’s bakery sells nearly 100 modern mooncakes and 150-200 traditional ones. A modern moon cake can be sold for VND140,000 – 150,000 each while the traditional cakes range between VND65,000-VND75,000 each, earning a monthly revenue of just under VND500 million.

Additives such as flavourings and colours are made from natural foods such as green tea and pineapple leaves. 

Decorative items are created using silicone moulds or are directly carved into the cakes.

The shape of the cakes is finished before they are baked in the oven.

To ensure the quality, Ms Ngoc only makes 80-100 expertly decorated mooncakes a day.

Despite their high price, carved mooncakes decorated with 3d flowers are popular with many customers.

Colourful moon cakes with different shapes are made by the skillful hands of artisans.

It takes a longtime for moon cake carvers to learn how to mould carved moon cakes. In addition, materials for carved moon cakes all have to be imported from Japan.

carved moon cakes a popular purchase despite high prices hinh 16

A box of moon cakes is priced at VND260,000.