The Legend of Bánh Chưng
The Legend of Bánh Chưng is a traditional Vietnamese tale that explains the origin of this square-shaped rice cake. It is said that the sixth king of the Hùng Dynasty wanted to find a successor among his sons. To prove their worth, he asked them to create a dish that represented the earth and their gratitude to their ancestors.
The youngest son, Lang Liêu, created Bánh Chưng using glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in banana leaves. His dish symbolized the earth and the importance of family. The king was impressed, and Bánh Chưng became a staple during the Tết holiday, celebrating Vietnamese culture and heritage.