Ho Chi Minh City bakeries preserve mid-autumn traditions
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, family-run bakeries in the Cho Lon area are preparing traditional cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 25 this year.
For nearly 80 years, shops like Trieu Minh Hiep have maintained family recipes for Teochew-style pia cakes, flaky pastries filled with taro, mung bean, and salted egg yolk. Trieu An, a third-generation baker, explained that preserving the unique family flavor requires much handwork despite the availability of machines.
These bakeries serve not only as businesses but also as keepers of memories, attracting customers who seek the tastes of past Mid-Autumn Festivals. While some shops sell pre-made cakes, others, like Quang Nguyen Long, focus on small-batch orders and freshness. Owner Tran Le Phuong, who has worked at the bakery for 65 years, prioritizes quality over large-scale production but worries about the future of the shop as her children pursue other careers.
Other bakeries, such as Dong Ky, balance tradition with innovation. They continue to use authentic ingredients and methods while introducing new flavors like pineapple and taro to appeal to younger customers. Dong Ky also provides small lanterns to children, adding to the festive atmosphere and recalling childhood memories associated with the holiday. These shops ship orders throughout Vietnam, including to Hanoi and the Mekong Delta.
