Discover Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, Can Tho’s iconic violet rice cake for Tet. Learn how it’s made, where to try it, and book eco-friendly cultural tours with Legend Travel Group for a memorable Mekong Delta experience!
Capture the colorful essence of Can Tho’s Tet gemCan Tho City, the culinary and cultural hub of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is renowned for its vibrant traditions, especially during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Following the merger of Soc Trang and Hau Giang, Can Tho has become Vietnam’s largest city by landmass, attracting millions to its floating markets, heritage sites, and festive delicacies. Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, a striking violet cylindrical glutinous rice cake, is a Southern Tet staple, celebrated for its eye-catching color and rich, savory fillings. Made with local ingredients and steeped in cultural significance, this treat embodies the Delta’s warmth and hospitality. Aligned with Can Tho’s “Green Delta” sustainability initiatives, tasting Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm pairs perfectly with eco-friendly cultural tours. Legend Travel Group’s immersive experiences let you savor this festive delicacy while exploring Can Tho’s traditions—book your tour via the links throughout this guide!
Legend Travel Group, a premier local tour operator, specializes in sustainable Southeast Asia adventures. Our Can Tho tours feature eco-friendly transport—bicycles, electric boats, and eco-taxis—guided by local experts who share the Delta’s cultural heritage. Supporting artisans in Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang Wards, we align with Can Tho’s eco-vision. With transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure, and 24/7 support, we ensure a seamless journey. Contact us at sales@legendtravelgroup.com or WhatsApp +84825862222 to book eco-tours and celebrate Can Tho’s traditions!
Vietnam’s administrative restructuring has merged Soc Trang and Hau Giang into Can Tho City, with Ninh Kieu as the central hub. District-level units are now wards or communes, enhancing access to cultural experiences like Tet celebrations at Tay Do Night Market. Supported by sustainable infrastructure—cycling paths, electric ferries, and a VND800 billion flood mitigation project—Can Tho offers seamless exploration of its festive traditions.
Photograph the authentic allure of Can Tho’s culinary scene (Source: Internet)Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm is a traditional Southern Vietnamese rice cake, a vibrant cousin of the Northern Bánh Chưng, prepared for Tet to symbolize prosperity and family unity. Unique to Can Tho and the Mekong Delta, this cylindrical cake is distinguished by its striking violet hue, derived from lá cẩm (magenta plant) leaves. Made with glutinous rice, it’s stuffed with rich fillings like mung beans, fatty pork, salted egg yolks, or bananas, then wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for hours. The result is a savory, slightly sweet delicacy with a chewy texture and aromatic flavor, embodying the Delta’s agricultural abundance and cultural fusion.
Key Ingredients:
Glutinous Rice: Soaked with lá cẩm juice for a vivid purple color.
Fillings: Mung beans, pork belly, salted egg yolks, or bananas for sweetness.
Banana Leaves: Wrap the cake, adding an earthy aroma.
Bindings: Bamboo strips or banana bark strings for tight wrapping.
Cultural Significance: Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm is offered on ancestral altars during Tet, symbolizing gratitude and hopes for a bountiful year. Its round shape represents the Earth, fostering family togetherness.
Tip: Slice it into rounds and pan-fry for a crispy twist, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Experience Can Tho Tours with sustainable adventures (Source: Internet)Crafting Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm is a labor of love, often a family activity during Tet preparations. Here’s a simplified guide:
Prepare Ingredients: Soak glutinous rice in water infused with lá cẩm juice for 6–8 hours to achieve a vibrant purple hue. Soak mung beans and marinate pork belly with fish sauce, garlic, and shallots.
Assemble Fillings: Layer soaked rice, mung beans, pork, and optional salted egg yolks or banana in the center.
Wrap the Cake: Spread rice on banana leaves, add fillings, and roll tightly into a cylinder. Secure with bamboo strips or banana bark strings.
Boil: Simmer the wrapped cakes in a large pot for 6–8 hours, ensuring they’re fully cooked and fragrant.
Cool and Serve: Let the cakes cool, then slice into rounds to reveal the colorful layers.
Tip: Join a cooking class to master the art, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Cost of Ingredients:
Glutinous rice: $1–$2/kg (25,000–50,000 VND).
Lá cẩm leaves: $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND).
Fillings (pork, mung beans, etc.): $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).
Note: Homemade cakes are time-intensive; buying ready-made ones is more convenient for travelers.
Start your Can Tho Travel with festive vibes (Source: Internet)Can Tho’s markets and eateries offer authentic Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, especially during Tet (January–February) but available year-round. Here are the top spots:
A vibrant evening market where vendors sell freshly made Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, perfect as gifts or snacks. The festive atmosphere enhances the experience.
Location: Tran Phu Street, Cai Khe Ward, 1 km from Ninh Kieu Wharf.
Cost: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND) per cake.
Hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM daily.
Tip: Pair with a sugarcane juice ($0.50–$1), included in our Can Tho City Explorer Tour ($45–$65).
Sample Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm from floating vendors, often served with coffee or fruit. The market’s lively ambiance adds to the charm.
Location: Cai Rang Ward, 7 km from Ninh Kieu.
Cost: $2–$3 (50,000–75,000 VND) per cake; boat tour $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND).
Hours: 5:00 AM–12:00 PM, peak at 6:00–8:00 AM.
Tip: Visit early for the freshest cakes, included in our Mekong Sunrise Tour ($55–$75).
This riverside market offers Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm alongside other Delta treats, ideal for evening strolls.
Location: Ninh Kieu Wharf, Ninh Kieu Ward.
Cost: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND) per cake.
Hours: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM.
Tip: Try it with a side of coconut ice cream ($1), included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Enjoy Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm as part of a farm-to-table meal in a lush garden setting, with cooking demos available.
Location: 335 Lo Vong Cung, Phong Dien Ward, 12 km from Ninh Kieu.
Cost: $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND); entry $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).
Tip: Combine with fruit-picking, included in our Tra Su Eco-Tour ($60–$80).
Family-run shops like Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm Út Dzách (Cai Khe Ward) specialize in this delicacy, offering beautifully wrapped cakes for gifting.
Cost: $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND) per cake.
Hours: 7:00 AM–8:00 PM.
Tip: Buy as souvenirs, included in our Mekong Delta Immersion Tour ($250–$400).
Tip: During Tet, pre-order cakes at markets or join a Tet-focused tour for the full experience, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND); carry small notes (50,000–500,000 VND) for vendors.
Cost: Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm $2–$4 (50,000–100,000 VND); other street food $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).
Tipping: Optional; $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND) for guides or exceptional service.
Hygiene: Choose busy stalls for fresh cakes; drink bottled water and carry hand sanitizer.
Language: Say “ngon” (delicious) or “cảm ơn” (thank you) to connect with vendors.
Bicycle Rental: $1–$3/day (25,000–75,000 VND) for market visits.
Motorbike Rental: $5–$10/day (125,000–250,000 VND) for rural bakeries.
Taxi/Grab: $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND) within 1–5 km.
Electric Boat: $10–$20/hour (250,000–500,000 VND) for Cai Rang visits.
Tip: Use eco-friendly bikes or boats via Xanh SM app, included in our Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85).
The Tet holiday (January–February) is the prime time to savor Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, when markets overflow with festive cakes and Can Tho buzzes with celebrations. Year-round, it’s available at markets and eateries, but the dry season (January–May) offers pleasant weather (25–36°C or 77–96.8°F) for market visits. The rainy season (June–December) brings cooler temperatures (22–32°C or 71.6–89.6°F) and fewer crowds.
Peak Season (January–May): Book tours early for Tet and Cai Rang Floating Market Festival (April).
Shoulder Season (March–April, November): Mild weather, quieter visits.
Tip: Visit markets in the morning for fresh cakes; check AccuWeather for rainy season updates.
Begin your Can Tho Tours with a flavorful adventure (Source: Internet)Book Tours Early: Reserve eco-tours via Legend Travel Group (sales@legendtravelgroup.com, WhatsApp +84825862222) 2–3 weeks in advance, especially for Tet season.
Allergies: Confirm fillings (e.g., pork, egg) if you have dietary restrictions; vegetarian versions are available.
Sustainability: Support local artisans and use reusable bags for purchases to align with Can Tho’s green goals.
Navigation: Download offline maps (Maps.me) for markets and eateries.
Safety: Secure valuables in crowded markets; choose reputable vendors for hygiene.
Cultural Respect: Smile and engage with vendors; say “cảm ơn” (thank you).
Health: Carry mosquito repellent for evening markets; stay hydrated.
Our sustainable tours let you savor Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm and Can Tho’s cultural delights:
Can Tho Foodie Tour ($65–$85/person): Tay Do Night Market, Cai Rang Floating Market, Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm tasting, cooking class. Includes eco-transfers, meals, and guide.
Mekong Sunrise Tour ($55–$75/person): Cai Rang Floating Market breakfast with Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, canal cruise. Includes electric boat and guide.
Can Tho Heritage Tour ($50–$70/person): My Khanh Village, local stalls with Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm, orchards. Includes eco-transfers and lunch.
Tra Su Eco-Tour ($60–$80/person): Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, eco-garden dining with Delta treats. Includes boat rides and eco-transfers.
Mekong Delta Immersion ($250–$400/person, 2–3 days): Floating markets, homestays ($10–$25/night), Tet-focused tours with Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm. Includes transfers, meals, and activities.
Prices include English-speaking guides, eco-transfers, and entrance fees. Enjoy 10% off for groups of 8+ or seasonal promotions. Book now via links around this page!
Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm is a vibrant symbol of Can Tho City’s Tet celebrations, offering a delicious blend of violet glutinous rice, savory fillings, and Mekong Delta tradition. From festive markets to cozy eateries, this iconic rice cake is a must-try for travelers seeking cultural immersion. Legend Travel Group’s Can Tho Tours pair Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm with Can Tho’s floating markets, heritage sites, and culinary treasures, ensuring a sustainable Can Tho Travel experience filled with meaningful exploration. Don’t miss out—browse our featured tours and book your Can Tho adventure today!
Ready to taste Can Tho’s Tet delicacy? Reserve your eco-tour with Legend Travel Group and savor the flavors of Bánh Tét Lá Cẩm!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
Sources:
By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group
Favorite experiences booked by travelers
