Top 10 Best Essays Recounting the Legend of 'Bánh Chưng, Bánh Giầy' in Your Own Words (Literature 6)

In the 6th-grade Literature program, we learned about several legends, each leaving a profound lesson. However, my favorite is the legend of 'Bánh Chưng, Bánh Giầy.' The story goes as follows:

The sixth Hung King, in his old age, sought to find a successor. With twenty sons, he didn’t know who was worthy to inherit the throne. Unlike previous kings who always passed the throne to the eldest son, the sixth Hung King believed that the successor should be someone capable, one who could continue the king’s mission and love the people. He decided that the successor didn’t necessarily have to be the eldest son. After much thought, the king gathered his sons and announced:

– Our country has faced many invasions, but thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, we have always driven the invaders away. Our land is now peaceful. I am old and have little time left. I wish to find someone to take the throne and ensure the prosperity and happiness of the people. The one who can meet my expectations will inherit the throne. This will be judged during the upcoming festival for our ancestors. May our ancestors bear witness.

Upon hearing the king’s words, all the princes wanted the throne, but none knew exactly what the king desired. They competed by preparing sumptuous feasts to please their father.

The most saddened prince was Lang Liêu, the eighteenth son. His mother passed away early, and he lived alone, constantly working in the fields. While his brothers sent others to gather delicacies for the king, Lang Liêu had nothing but rice and sweet potatoes. But these were too humble.

One day, he dreamed of a divine figure who told him:

– There is nothing more precious than rice. Rice is the treasure of Heaven. Use it to make offerings to the ancestors.

When he woke up, Lang Liêu was overjoyed. He thought deeply and then took the finest sticky rice, washed it carefully, and used mung beans and pork for the filling. He wrapped the rice in green dong leaves to make the cakes. For a change, he also ground some of the rice into a paste. After making the cakes, Lang Liêu was unsure of what to name them.

On the day of the ancestor worship, the other princes brought numerous lavish dishes, from rare meats to extravagant delicacies. The king tasted them all but stopped when he reached Lang Liêu’s cakes. He was pleased and called Lang Liêu forward to ask him about the cakes. Lang Liêu shared his dream and the message from the divine figure. After a moment of reflection, the king said:

– The round-shaped cake represents Heaven, so it shall be called bánh giầy. The square-shaped cake represents Earth, and it will be called bánh chưng. Lang Liêu has pleased me, and he shall succeed me. May our ancestors bear witness.

From then on, our country became renowned for agriculture and livestock, and it became a tradition to make bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the Lunar New Year. Without these cakes, the celebration wouldn’t feel complete.

The sixth Hung King held a competition to find his successor. He set the condition that whoever could please him during the ancestor worship ceremony would inherit the throne. The princes went far and wide, gathering treasures, jewels, and exotic delicacies to present to the king. Meanwhile, Lang Liêu, though a prince, was poor and couldn’t afford such luxuries. He was troubled, unable to come up with anything worthy for the king.

The festival to honor the ancestors was approaching. Lang Liêu’s brothers had likely prepared grand feasts with rare meats and delicacies, while he had nothing to offer but his humble means. Lang Liêu wasn’t eager for the throne, only wishing for a peaceful life. But, he thought, if only he could prepare something meaningful to present to the king, to show his deep respect and filial devotion.

That night, Lang Liêu fell asleep, and in his dream, an old man with white hair and beard appeared. He said:

– Lang Liêu, I know that although you are poor, you are very filial. You only wish to offer something meaningful to the ancestors and express your love for your father, correct? Let me ask you: as a farmer, what is the highest thing on Earth?

– The sky, Your Honor!

– And what is the most valuable and closest thing to you?

– The Earth, Your Honor!

– Then, take the things you have cultivated and nurtured with your own hands to create something that symbolizes both the sky and the Earth. This will be the most meaningful gift you can offer to the ancestors.

With that, the old man disappeared in a thin mist. Lang Liêu woke up, overjoyed at the dream.

The next morning, Lang Liêu asked his mother for some leaves used for wrapping cakes. He chose the best rice, the finest pork, and began to prepare the cakes. One was square, representing the Earth, and the other round, representing the sky. After cooking, the fragrance of the cakes filled the village. Everyone who passed by stopped to admire how delicious they smelled.

The next morning, Lang Liêu’s mother carried the round cakes, and Lang Liêu followed with the square cakes. They entered the palace as everyone else was already gathered.

After the ancestor worship ceremony, the king and his officials went around tasting the offerings. They sampled everything but showed no interest, as they were all familiar dishes like shark fin and bear paw. The king, disheartened by the lack of meaningful offerings, was concerned that none of the princes understood the deeper meaning of the ceremony.

When they reached Lang Liêu’s cakes, the king stopped and pondered. The simple yet fragrant aroma brought to mind the early morning mist and the fresh scent of harvested rice. It reminded him of the hardworking farmers in the fields, the distant flight of storks, and the evening smoke rising from the villages.

The king ordered that the cakes be cut and shared. Everyone who tasted them was delighted. The king then asked Lang Liêu:

– Who taught you to make these cakes? What is their significance?

Lang Liêu bowed and replied:

– Your Majesty, the round cake represents the sky, where the Jade Emperor and the ancestors reside, while the square cake represents the Earth, where you, our king, rule and maintain peace. These cakes are made from the finest sticky rice, mung beans, and pork, prepared with my own hands, as a symbol of my deep respect and devotion to you, my father.

The king stood up, looking Lang Liêu in the eyes, and said:

– You are not only a filial son but also a person who values labor and understands the importance of what is created by hard work.

Turning to his court, the king declared:

– As I have said before, my successor must share my vision. My vision is for the people to live in peace and prosperity. To do this, one must understand the significance of Heaven and Earth, and appreciate the labor of the farmers who toil to produce the rice that sustains us. Lang Liêu may not be the eldest son, and he has not been as favored as others, but he understands me better than anyone else. Therefore, from today, I declare Lang Liêu as my successor and the ruler of the land.

Everyone bowed in unison and shouted:

– Long live the king! Long live the king!

The king continued:

– I also declare that these two cakes will be used in the ancestor worship ceremony from now on. The square cake will be called bánh chưng, and the round one bánh giầy.

Thus, the seventh reign of the Hung Kings was established, and the tradition of bánh chưng and bánh giầy continues to be passed down, along with the custom of honoring our ancestors during the Lunar New Year.

When the sixth Hung King grew old, he sought a successor. With twenty sons, all of whom were talented, he couldn't decide who should inherit the throne. The kingdom was peaceful after defeating foreign invaders, but the king knew that for the throne to remain warm, the people must thrive. He called his sons together and said:

– Since the founding of the country, there have been six kings. We have faced many invasions, but with the blessing of the ancestors, we have triumphed. Now, I am old and will not live forever.

The one who succeeds me must understand my vision. It does not have to be the eldest son. You must each offer a gift to heaven and the ancestors. Whoever pleases me will be chosen as my successor.

The princes went far and wide to gather rare treasures and exotic dishes to present to the king. However, Lang Liêu, the eighteenth son, was at a loss. His mother had died young, and the king had never favored him. He was the poorest of his brothers, spending his time farming and living off humble crops of sweet potatoes and rice.

One night, Lang Liêu had a dream in which a spirit appeared and spoke:

– In the world, nothing is more precious than rice. It nourishes the people, and no one ever tires of it. Though other foods are rare and delicious, they cannot be made by everyone. So, take rice and make cakes to offer to the ancestors.

Waking up, Lang Liêu was overjoyed. He chose the best, fragrant sticky rice, and washed it carefully. He then mixed it with mung beans and pork for the filling, and wrapped the mixture in leaves. One cake was square, symbolizing the Earth, and the other round, representing the Sky. After cooking for a whole day and night, the aroma of the cakes spread throughout the village, drawing praise from everyone.

The next day, the princes brought extravagant feasts to the king. But when the king tasted everything, he showed no interest. He moved on quickly until he reached Lang Liêu’s cakes. Impressed by their simple yet fragrant aroma, the king asked Lang Liêu to explain the meaning of the cakes.

Lang Liêu shared his dream and explained:

– The round cake represents the sky, where the Jade Emperor and the ancestors reside, while the square cake represents the Earth, where you rule and ensure peace. These cakes are made from rice, mung beans, and pork, prepared with my own hands, to show my devotion to you, my father.

The king smiled and said:

– You have not only demonstrated filial piety but also an understanding of the value of labor and respect for the fruits of hard work. You will be my successor.

Then, the king addressed his court:

– As I have always said, my successor must share my vision. My vision is to ensure prosperity for the people. To achieve this, one must understand the significance of Heaven and Earth and appreciate the hard work of the farmers. Lang Liêu, though not my eldest son, understands me better than anyone else. Therefore, I declare Lang Liêu to be my successor.

Everyone knelt in reverence and cheered:

– Long live the king! Long live the king!

The king continued:

– From now on, these two cakes will be used in the ancestor worship ceremony. The square cake will be called bánh chưng, and the round one bánh giầy.

Thus, the seventh reign of the Hung Kings was established, and the tradition of bánh chưng and bánh giầy continues to this day, along with the custom of honoring the ancestors during the Lunar New Year.

In ancient times, when the sixth Hung King grew old, he sought a worthy successor. With twenty sons, all of whom were capable, the king was unsure whom to choose. Although the kingdom had been freed from invaders, peace would only last if the people prospered. The king gathered his sons and declared:

– Whoever can offer the most meaningful gift to heaven and the ancestors will be chosen as my successor.

Upon hearing this, the princes eagerly sought rare and exquisite treasures to present to the king, hoping to secure the throne.

However, Lang Liêu, the eighteenth son, was troubled. He was a humble and filial son, but with his mother having passed away early, he lacked guidance on what to prepare for the contest.

One night, Lang Liêu dreamt of a spirit who spoke to him:

– In the world, nothing is more precious than rice. It sustains life and can never be boring. Other foods may be delicious but are rare and difficult to obtain. Therefore, take sticky rice and make round and square cakes to symbolize the sky and the earth. Use leaves to wrap them and place the filling inside, representing the love of your parents.

Excited by this revelation, Lang Liêu woke up and followed the spirit's instructions. He carefully selected fragrant, pure white sticky rice, washing each grain thoroughly. He then prepared a filling of mung beans and pork, wrapping the mixture in banana leaves to form square cakes, which he cooked for a whole day and night. He also made round cakes using the same sticky rice, steaming them until they were soft and fragrant.

On the day of the contest, the princes brought lavish feasts, but when the king tasted them, he showed no interest. However, when he reached Lang Liêu’s cakes, he paused. Surprised by the simple yet meaningful offering, he called Lang Liêu over and asked for an explanation. Lang Liêu shared his dream, and the king, impressed by both the taste and the significance of the cakes, ordered a gathering of the court and declared:

– The round cake represents the sky, and I will name it bánh giầy. The square cake represents the earth, made from pork, mung beans, and wrapped in banana leaves, symbolizing animals, plants, and the cycle of life. I will call this bánh chưng. The wrapping represents unity and mutual support. Lang Liêu’s offering is truly meaningful, so he will be my successor.

From that day on, the people focused on agriculture and animal husbandry, and the tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy for the Lunar New Year was born.

When the sixth Hung King grew old, he sought a successor. With twenty sons, each of whom was capable, he could not decide who was worthy. Although the kingdom was free from invaders, true prosperity could only be achieved if the people thrived. The king gathered his sons and said:

– My ancestors have ruled for six generations. We have defeated invaders, but now I am old and need to find a successor. The one who can offer the most meaningful gift to heaven and our ancestors will inherit the throne. It does not have to be the eldest son. This year, during the ceremony for our ancestors, whoever pleases me will succeed me.

The princes, eager to claim the throne, competed to present the most lavish offerings to the king. But no one knew exactly what the king desired. They all focused on preparing extravagant feasts to present to the ancestors.

The one who was most troubled was Lang Liêu. He was the eighteenth son. His mother had been neglected by the king and had passed away when he was young. Compared to his brothers, Lang Liêu had the least to offer. His brothers sent emissaries to search for treasures from forests and seas, while Lang Liêu only knew how to tend to the fields. At home, there were only sweet potatoes and rice, which seemed far too humble for the occasion.

One night, Lang Liêu had a dream in which a spirit appeared and said:

– Among all things in the world, nothing is more precious than rice. Rice sustains life and never grows tiresome. Other foods may be delicious but are rare and difficult to produce. Therefore, take sticky rice and make cakes shaped like the sky and the earth to honor heaven and the ancestors. Wrap the cakes with leaves and fill them with ingredients to represent the love of your parents.

Upon waking, Lang Liêu was overjoyed. He reflected on the spirit's words and decided to follow the guidance. He chose the finest, fragrant sticky rice, washed each grain clean, and then prepared a filling of mung beans and pork. He wrapped the mixture in banana leaves to form square cakes, which he cooked for a full day and night. To vary the offering, he also steamed some of the same sticky rice and shaped it into round cakes.

On the day of the ceremony, the princes brought extravagant dishes. The king tasted them all but showed no particular interest. However, when he reached Lang Liêu’s cakes, he stopped and looked thoughtfully at the simple yet meaningful offering. He called Lang Liêu over and asked for an explanation. Lang Liêu shared the dream he had experienced. The king, impressed by both the taste and the symbolism, decided to offer the cakes during the ceremony honoring the ancestors.

After the ceremony, the king shared the cakes with the court. Everyone praised their deliciousness. The king gathered the court and proclaimed:

– The round cake represents the sky, and I shall name it bánh giầy. The square cake represents the earth, made of pork, mung beans, and wrapped in banana leaves, which symbolize animals, plants, and all living things. I shall call this bánh chưng. The wrapping represents unity and the bond between us all. Lang Liêu’s offering is just what I sought, so he will be my successor. May the ancestors bear witness.

From that day forward, the people focused on agriculture and animal husbandry. The tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the Lunar New Year began, and these cakes became an essential part of the holiday. Without them, the true spirit of the New Year would be lacking.

The sixth Hung King, faced with the dilemma of choosing an heir among his twenty sons, called them together and declared:

– Our Lạc Việt kingdom has been passed down for six generations. Despite numerous invasions by the Ân tribe, we have managed to repel them, ensuring peace and prosperity for our people. Now that I am old and my time is near, I seek a successor who embodies my ideals, not necessarily the eldest. This year, during the ancestor’s ceremony, the one who pleases me will inherit the throne, with the ancestors as witnesses.

All the princes were eager to win their father’s favor, venturing far and wide in search of rare and precious gifts. However, among them, Lang Liêu, the youngest son, had the least to offer.

His mother had been neglected by the king and passed away early in his life. Since then, Lang Liêu had lived alone, tending to the fields, growing rice and sweet potatoes. His humble home had little beyond these basic crops. This saddened Lang Liêu greatly. One night, as he slept, he dreamed that a spirit spoke to him:

– Lang Liêu, in all the world, nothing is more valuable than rice. Other foods may be rare and exquisite, but rice is plentiful, sustaining life and is always available. Use rice to prepare your offering for the ancestor’s ceremony.

Awakening from the dream, Lang Liêu was filled with joy and immediately set to work. He chose the finest sticky rice, white and plump, to make his offering. He carefully washed the rice and used mung beans and pork fat for the filling. He went into the garden to gather banana leaves for wrapping the cakes. To add variety to his offering, he also mashed and steamed some rice, shaping it into round cakes.

On the day of the ancestor’s ceremony, the courtyard buzzed with excitement as offerings were presented. The king reviewed each one carefully and paused in front of Lang Liêu’s simple cakes, clearly surprised. He called Lang Liêu forward, and the young prince explained his dream. After a moment of thought, the king said:

– This square cake represents the earth, and I will call it bánh chưng. The pork and mung bean filling symbolize animals, while the banana leaves represent the unity of the people. The round cake symbolizes the sky, and I will call it bánh giầy. These two cakes are both simple yet meaningful. Lang Liêu’s offering has pleased me, and he will be my successor, with the ancestors as witnesses.

After the ceremony, the king placed the cakes on the altar and shared them with his court. Everyone praised their deliciousness. Lang Liêu was crowned as the next king, becoming a wise and just ruler.

From then on, the kingdom thrived in agriculture and animal husbandry. The tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the Lunar New Year became firmly established. The legend of bánh chưng and bánh giầy honors the Hùng Kings and explains the customs surrounding these beloved cakes.

Once again, spring has arrived. Throughout the streets, people are eagerly shopping, preparing for a full and festive Lunar New Year, with families coming together to celebrate. My mother is busy wrapping square bánh chưng, a traditional dish that is essential for the holiday. As I watch her, I’m reminded of the tale behind bánh chưng and bánh giầy, a story that holds deep meaning for our culture.

The story recounts the time when King Hùng, in his old age, had twenty sons but struggled to choose the right successor. With the kingdom at peace after defeating invaders, the king knew that only a wise and worthy heir could ensure lasting prosperity. He summoned his sons and said:

– Our Lạc Việt land has been passed down through six generations. We have endured numerous invasions, but thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, we have triumphed and brought peace to our people. Now, as I age and my time approaches, I seek a successor who embodies my values, not necessarily the eldest son. This year, during the ancestor’s ceremony, the one who pleases me will inherit the throne, with our ancestors as witnesses.

Each son wanted to win his father’s favor and did their best to present fine offerings for the ceremony. But no one could guess what would truly please the king. They all competed to prepare the most delicious and impressive dishes. However, Lang Liêu, the 18th son, was the most disadvantaged.

His mother had been neglected by the king and passed away when he was young. Since then, Lang Liêu had lived on his own, working the fields and growing rice and sweet potatoes. With only these humble crops in his home, he didn’t know how he could prepare a worthy offering for the ancestors. One night, as he slept, a spirit appeared to him in a dream:

– Lang Liêu, in all the world, nothing is more precious than rice. Other foods may be rare and exquisite, but rice is abundant and essential, yet still holds immense value. Use this rice to prepare your offering for the ancestor’s ceremony.

Upon waking, Lang Liêu felt overjoyed. He quickly gathered the best sticky rice, green beans, pork, and banana leaves from the garden to make the sacred square cakes. He also mashed the rice and formed round cakes to add variety to the offering.

On the day of the ancestor’s ceremony, the courtyard was filled with excitement as offerings were presented to the king. After reviewing the dishes, the king paused in front of Lang Liêu’s cakes, clearly impressed. He called Lang Liêu forward, and the young prince shared the story of his dream. The king replied:

The round cake symbolizes the sky, and I will call it bánh giầy. The square cake represents the earth, and I will name it bánh chưng. The banana leaves wrapping the cakes symbolize the unity of the people. Lang Liêu’s offering reflects my wishes, and he will succeed me as the next ruler.

From that day on, the kingdom flourished in agriculture and animal husbandry, and the tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the Lunar New Year became widespread. The legend not only explains the origins of these cakes but also celebrates the agricultural foundations of our culture and the deep sense of filial piety, honoring the heavens, earth, and ancestors.

The fire crackles... The flames dance around the bánh chưng pot. The warmth of the fire carries the breath of spring, gently filling every street corner. The flames seem to awaken memories—memories of the legend of bánh chưng and bánh giầy.

This tale dates back to a long time ago. King Hùng, in the sixth generation, wished to pass the throne to one of his twenty sons but could not decide who was worthy. He called his sons together and said:

– Our Lạc Việt land has been passed down for six generations. We've faced numerous invasions, but thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, we have overcome them, bringing peace and prosperity to our people. Now, I am old and cannot live forever. The one who inherits the throne must be someone who shares my ideals, not necessarily the eldest. This year, during the ancestor's ceremony, the son who pleases me will succeed me, with our ancestors as witnesses.

Each son wished to be chosen and tried their best to bring valuable offerings to the ceremony. But no one could guess what the king truly wanted. They all competed to prepare the most exquisite and delightful dishes. Among them, Lang Liêu was the most disadvantaged. His mother had been neglected by the king and passed away when he was young. Since then, he had lived alone, working on the land, growing rice and sweet potatoes. With only these simple crops at home, he didn’t know how to prepare a suitable offering for the ceremony, and he was deeply saddened. One night, he had a dream where a spirit spoke to him:

– Lang Liêu, in all the world, nothing is more precious than rice. Other foods may be rare and delicious, but rice is abundant and essential, yet still incredibly valuable. Use it to prepare an offering for the ancestors.

Upon waking, Lang Liêu felt a surge of happiness. He immediately gathered the best sticky rice, green beans, pork, and banana leaves from his garden to make the sacred square cakes. He also mashed the rice, steamed it, and shaped it into round cakes to add variety to the offering.

On the day of the ancestor’s ceremony, the courtyard was filled with excitement as offerings were presented to the king. After inspecting the dishes, the king paused in front of Lang Liêu’s cakes, clearly surprised. He called Lang Liêu forward, and the young man shared the story of his dream. The king responded:

This round cake represents the sky, and I will name it bánh giầy. This square cake symbolizes the earth, and I will call it bánh chưng. The banana leaves wrapping the cakes represent the unity of our people. Lang Liêu has offered exactly what I desired. He shall inherit the throne and become the next ruler.

After the ceremony, King Hùng placed the cakes on the ancestor’s altar. Following the ceremony, the royal family and courtiers gathered around to enjoy the cakes, all praising their deliciousness. Lang Liêu was crowned king and became a wise and just ruler.

From that moment on, the kingdom thrived in agriculture and animal husbandry, and the tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the Lunar New Year became established. The legend of these cakes not only honors the Hùng kings for their contributions to the nation but also explains the origins of these iconic foods and highlights the agricultural roots and the deep respect for ancestors within our culture.

Bánh chưng and bánh giầy are two types of cakes most commonly made during the Lunar New Year. They are either prepared or bought to offer to ancestors and share among family and friends to enjoy the unique flavors of the holiday. These cakes are iconic symbols of Vietnamese culture, and anyone familiar with folk tales will instantly recognize the story of bánh chưng and bánh giầy.

Long ago, during the reign of the sixth Hùng king, after driving the invaders out of the country, the king decided to pass the throne to one of his sons. At the beginning of the new year, when everything was brimming with the vitality of spring, he called all his sons and said:

“Whoever can bring me the most meaningful and delicious dish for the New Year’s feast will inherit the throne.” Thus began a competition among the princes to find the most exquisite and rare foods to present to the king. Among them was Lang Liêu, the eighteenth prince, known for his kind and respectful nature. His mother had passed away when he was young, and without guidance, he struggled to come up with a dish that would meet the king's expectations.

Worried and feeling helpless, Lang Liêu fell asleep one night and had a dream in which a spirit appeared and said:

“Listen, my child, in all the world, nothing is more precious than rice. Rice is the food that sustains humanity. Take the best sticky rice and make two cakes: a round one to symbolize the sky, and a square one to represent the earth. Wrap them in leaves, and use the filling to symbolize the nurturing of parents.”

Upon waking, Lang Liêu was overjoyed, feeling that the gods had guided him. He followed the spirit’s instructions, carefully selecting the best sticky rice to make the square bánh chưng and the round bánh giầy. He used green leaves to wrap the cakes, symbolizing parental protection and care.

When the time came, all the princes brought elaborate dishes from all corners of the kingdom. But when it was Lang Liêu’s turn, he presented only the two simple cakes made from sticky rice—nothing extravagant. The king was intrigued by Lang Liêu’s offerings, and the prince explained the meaning behind them. Impressed by both the taste and the symbolic significance, the king decided to pass the throne to Lang Liêu.

And so, the tradition of bánh chưng and bánh giầy was born. From that day on, these two cakes have been an inseparable part of Vietnamese New Year celebrations.

During the Lunar New Year, bánh chưng and bánh giầy are staples at every household's celebration. But have you ever wondered about the origin of these two cakes? Why are they made every New Year? Let me share the story with you.

Once, King Hùng the sixth, in his old age, decided it was time to pass the throne to one of his sons. With over twenty sons, he was unsure who to choose, so he called them together and said:

“Our ancestors have established the Văn Lang kingdom, which has lasted for six generations. Now, I am old, and I wish to pass on the throne to one of you. The successor should follow my principles, not necessarily the eldest. During this year’s celebration of the Ancestors, whoever presents the most fitting offering will be the one to inherit the throne.”

All the princes wanted to claim the throne, but no one knew exactly what the king was looking for. They all prepared lavish feasts to impress the king, but Lang Liêu, the eighteenth prince, was the most unfortunate. His mother had passed away early, and he grew up with little guidance, working hard in the fields. His family was poor, and all he had were simple potatoes and rice—nothing extraordinary.

One evening, after a long and exhausting day in the fields, Lang Liêu fell asleep. In his dream, an old man with a white beard appeared and spoke kindly to him:

“In this world, nothing is more valuable than rice. It is rice that sustains life, unlike other rare or delicious foods which cannot be made by humans. Use rice to prepare a gift for the Ancestors.”

When he woke up the next morning, Lang Liêu reflected on the dream and realized the wisdom in the words. He carefully selected the finest sticky rice, washed it clean, and used it to prepare two types of cakes. He made the square bánh chưng to represent the earth and the round bánh giầy to represent the sky. The cakes were wrapped in leaves and filled with sweet mung beans and pork.

On the day of the Ancestor’s celebration, every prince brought grand dishes to present to the king. When it was Lang Liêu’s turn, he brought only the simple sticky rice cakes. The king, intrigued by the simplicity, asked Lang Liêu to explain the meaning behind the cakes. The prince shared the story of his dream and the symbolism of the cakes. After some thought, the king decided to honor Lang Liêu’s offering.

After the ceremony, everyone tasted the cakes and praised their deliciousness. The king declared:

“The round cake symbolizes the sky, and I shall call it bánh giầy. The square cake symbolizes the earth, and I shall call it bánh chưng. The wrapping and the filling represent love and care. Lang Liêu has followed my wishes, and I hereby pass the throne to him. Let the Ancestors bear witness.”

And so, from that day on, the tradition of making bánh chưng and bánh giầy during the New Year has been passed down, honoring the agricultural heritage and respect for ancestors.

This is the origin of bánh chưng and bánh giầy. The story not only explains the cakes’ origin but also highlights the importance of farming and the reverence for our ancestors since the early days of our nation’s founding.