h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 1

The Kinh often make giay cakes for festive occasions like the Lunar New Year. Their round shape symbolizes heaven, based on a legend dating back thousands of years. Making giay cakes is a community activity that enhances unity.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 2

The H’Mong of northwestern Vietnam make giay cakes for their traditional new year festival, new rice festival, and going-to-the-field festival.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 3

The H’Mong also make the cakes for important family events and as a specialty to sell to tourists.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 4

The rice used to make giay cakes is harvested at the beginning of the season on terraced fields.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 5

The locals use banana leaves to wrap the cakes.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 6

Cake pounding is done using a mortar made from hardwood.

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Men are usually in charge of the physical demanding work of pounding, flipping, and smashing the sticky rice.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 8

Women are responsible for the remaining.

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H’Mong men are just as skillful as the women in cutting leaves to wrap the cakes.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 10

When pounded, the rice gets stickier.

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The cakes have the distinctive taste and scent of the northwestern region.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 12

Giay cakes play an important role in the life of the H’Mong living in the northwestern region.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 13

The rice harvested from terraced fields provides the distinctive flavor and aroma of the giay cakes of the H’Mong.

h’mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest vietnam hinh 14

Making giay cakes for festivals is one way the locals promote unity.

 

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