Tay people in Khuon Ha Commune, Lam Binh District make banh chung gu cake ahead of Dap Noi Festival

The majority of Tay ethnic communities in the districts of Lam Binh, Chiem Hoa, Na Hang and Ham Yen celebrate Dap Noi Festival, which is similar to the Lunar New Year Festival but it is held in smaller scale.

According to Trinh Thi Len, an elder from Khuon Ha Commune, Lam Binh District, during the festival, people prepare food offerings to their ancestors, which must include traditional cakes such as banh chung gu (glutinous  rice cake), banh day ngai cuu (round glutinous cake with mugwort leaves), and banh khao (cake made from dried glutinous rice powder).

Nong Van Vuong from Bang Coc Hamlet, Ham Yen District, said that Dap Noi Festival is an event of humanity as it provides an occasion to welcome back those who are working far from home and could not make it back to celebrate the Lunar New Year Festival with their families and communities.

In addition to making traditional cakes such as banh chung gu, banh day ngai cuu and banh khao, many families in Bang Coc Hamlet often make sweet rice flakes, which is a favourite snack for children. Therefore, children are very excited when Dap Noi Festival comes.

Dap Noi is a unique cultural feature of Tay ethnic people, helping them to fully celebrate a reunion with their families and encouraging them to preserve their traditional culture.