What square sticky-rice cake is a traditional Tết food in Vietnam?

The square sticky-rice cake that is a traditional Tết food in Vietnam is bánh chưng.

Bánh chưng is a compact cake of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, traditionally wrapped in phrynium leaves, also called dong leaves. The package is tied tightly and boiled for several hours, often after families spend time preparing and assembling the cakes together. Vegetarian and regional versions may replace the pork or alter the filling.

Its square shape carries cultural meaning. In the legend of Prince Lang Liêu, the cake represented the Earth, while the related round bánh giầy represented the sky. The story connects the food with filial respect, agriculture, and the importance of rice in Vietnamese life. Bánh chưng is especially associated with northern Vietnam.

A common mix-up is bánh tét, another Tết rice cake made from similar ingredients. Bánh tét is generally cylindrical and is particularly associated with southern Vietnam; bánh chưng is square. Bánh mì is a bread sandwich, bánh xèo is a savory crepe, and bánh bao is a filled steamed bun.