Folk cakes, from family dining table to popular tourist product

With abundant natural resources, spectacular landscape, and luxuriant vegetation, the Mekong River Delta boasts enormous potential for ecological tourism.

An artisan in Binh Thuy introduce the ingredients to make folk cakes

However, folk cakes from Can Tho city in Binh Thuy district are the greatest attraction to visitors.

For the Vietnamese, folk cakes are regarded as snacks or a gift from visitors or those who return home after a trip.

These cakes are often served during meetings,get-togethers, major family events, and the traditional lunar new year festival.

For some households in Binh Thuy district, folk cakes are their main source of income.

Le Thi Be Bay, Deputy Chief of Binh Thuy’s Cultural and Information Office and representative of the Xiu Tien cake brand, said, "18 local cake making households are now busy all year round. Folk cakes generate an income of between US$1,000 and US$1,500 for each household per month.”

Students learn to make folk cakes

One of the most well-known varieties in Binh Thuy is the Muoi Xiem pancake, which received a big reception at the 2007 Smithsonian Folk life Festival in the United States.

Local folk cake makers have now gathered to form a collective to increase production,improve quality, ensure food safety standards and promote their products.

Le Thi Be Bay said folk cakes have become a cultural symbol of the Binh Thuy district. “We have frequently received tourists from 10 travel companies from Ha Noi and Da Nang. Sustainable tourism will lead to sustainable economic development,” she said.

Some restaurants are offering Binh Thuy cake buffets for breakfast. Tran Ba Tong, Deputy Director of the Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Hotel, said, “Our guests are very interested in local cakes, saying that they are unique. We’ll cooperate with more suppliers to introduce Can Tho specialties to a wider public”.

VOV5