The festival has the presence of leaders of the Can Tho Municipal Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and representatives of departments, agencies, organizations, and businesses inside and outside the city as well as numerous Can Tho people and tourists.

Musical performance to kick off the 11th Southern Folk Cake Festival 2024

This year’s festival, themed “Bold Flavors of the South”, will take place from April 17 to April 21, 2024. The event is a convergence of culinary excellence and attracts over 100 artisans from all over the country to compete and demonstrate traditional cake-making techniques.  The 11th Southern Folk Cake Festival in 2024 aims to both preserve and celebrate Southern traditional cakes, whilst simultaneously building a trademark for them. It also carries the mission of bringing Southern folk cakes to everyone and gradually approaching the international market. Moreover, the event is a chance for gourmets to enjoy a wide range of local specialties and delicious cakes and performances of traditional cake-making of localities in the country.

Can Tho City’s leaders visit a Southern folk cake booth

Can Tho City’s leaders visit a booth showcasing OCOP products

250 booths featuring 100 types of traditional cakes specific to the southern region of Vietnam are being featured in the event such as bánh bò (steamed rice cake), bánh xèo (sizzling rice pancakes), bánh cống (fried shrimp cake), and bánh lá mơ (paederia foetida steamed rice cake). Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional cakes skillfully made by artisans using ingredients such as rice, sticky rice, and vegetables. These valuable folk cakes reflect the profound and intimate culture of the region, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience them.

Artisan Tran Thi Thu Em (41 years old) in Thuan Hung ward, Thot Not district performs the process of making sweet wet cake

At this year's Festival, the Organizing Committee cooperates with artisans from Thuan Hung craft village (a 200-year-old rice paper village in Thot Not district) to introduce the traditional craft of Thuan Hung rice paper making. This display is available for both locals and tourists to experience. Thuan Hung rice paper making is considered a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The highlight of the event will be a performance put on by local artisans to make a three-meter long bánh xèo (sizzling rice crepe). It aims to introduce the local specialty to domestic and foreign tourists.

The festival also offers a wide range of activities, including children's cooking classes, and traditional folk games, and a food court offering additional specialties from southern provinces. In addition, over 100 artisans took part in a cooking competition and provided cooking demonstrations for visitors.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of Can Tho Municipal People's Committee Nguyen Thuc Hien, emphasized that the Southern Folk Cake Festival is a significant annual event for Can Tho City. After organizing the festival for 10 years, it has become an important event that affirms the image, brand, and pervasiveness of the city. It also contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural value of traditional cuisine from the Southern region. Additionally, the festival promotes the sustainable development of Can Tho tourism and Mekong Delta tourism.

To better serve tourists, Vice Chairman Nguyen Thuc Hien requested the Organizing Committee and other relevant agencies to ensure food hygiene and safety, environmental sanitation, security, and order.

Rice paper from the rice paper-making village of Thuan Hung in Can Tho, recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, is introduced at the event.