Since early January, military transport ships of Naval Region 4 have departed from Cam Ranh base, carrying essential goods to serve the military and people on the islands of Truong Sa archipelago (Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa) to welcome the new year of Quy Mao.

Dong leaves used to wrap cakes are chosen to be brought to the island.

Phan Ngoc Duc

Among the Tet items provided to the island, the ingredients for making traditional banh chung are given special attention. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Quang, Head of Logistics of Naval Region 4, said: Golden sticky rice is selected and transported from the North. The dong leaves used to wrap the cakes are young dong leaves. The bamboo strips used to wrap the cakes are giang bamboo strips...

"The Tet holiday standard for island soldiers is 4 banh chung per person, so the amount of ingredients prepared for making banh chung on the islands is very large. We have to prepare a whole month before the ship arrives on the island," said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Quang.

Cake molds were made by soldiers on the island from recycled wooden barrels.

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Because of good preparation on the mainland, the ingredients for making banh chung brought to the island are of very good quality, ensuring food hygiene and safety.

Some images of soldiers of Brigade 146 (Naval Region 4) and affiliated forces, people on islands in Truong Sa archipelago (Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa) wrapping Chung cakes, preparing to welcome the new spring of Quy Mao 2023.

Dong leaves transferred from the ship to the island must be wrapped in plastic to avoid getting wet from seawater.

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Check the quality of sticky rice, after soaking overnight

Phan Ngoc Duc

Sinh Ton Island officers instruct young soldiers on how to wrap banh chung.

Phan Ngoc Duc

Women in Sinh Ton Island Commune's Women's Union (Truong Sa District, Khanh Hoa) join the island soldiers in making Chung cakes.

Phan Ngoc Duc

Has formed a square banh chung

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Soldiers of Sinh Ton Dong island wrap banh chung

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On Truong Sa island, the activity of wrapping banh chung is always considered... a festival of the island because it involves the participation of the stationed forces and households on the island.

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