Students from Laos and Cambodia make Chung cakes to celebrate Vietnam's traditional Tet holiday.

A Vietnamese teacher is telling the students to place leaves in a frame, put the stuff of rice, green bean, and pork inside, wrap the leaves neatly, and tie the cake with bamboo strings.

The Laotians and Cambodian students are quite strange to the work. Khuu Ngan from Laos said: “Making Chung cake is difficult. If we make it lubberly, the cake will not have a square shape.”

Some students already knew how to make Chung cake. Bunthavi, a Lao student, showed her friends how to wrap Chung cake and said: “When I was in Laos, my family often made Chung cake and pork paste. My father teaches me. I like Chung cake which has rice, pork, green bean, and many kinds of spices.”

Cambodian students are also eagerly trying to make Chung cake. Ut Dam said: “It’s difficult to make the first cake. But from the second one, it’s easier. My teacher said I wrap it nicely.”

Making Chung cake session is a time to learn about the Vietnamese culture and Tet cuisine. Khun Ngan said: “I learn about Vietnam’s culture during Tet. The Tet feast has many dishes including chicken, spring rolls, and Chung cakes.”

It’s a fun time to make Chung cakes. Ut Dam said: “It’s fun to make Chung cake with friends. It’s never been happier before.”

Chu Kim Phuong, Vice Director of the Friendship School, said: “We want to kindle a Tet atmosphere for foreign students to celebrate Vietnam’s biggest festival in the year and practice speaking Vietnamese. We introduce them Vietnam’s culture. We hope to enhance unity, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation among Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students.”

Many schools have organized making Chung cake session for foreign students to share the joy of the Vietnamese Tet and learn more about Vietnamese culture.