Phu tho: The Dao people’s New Year celebration in Phu Tho province, starting in early December of the lunar calendar, is a vibrant festival that extends until the Lunar New Year. These celebrations are marked by the presence of traditional sticky rice cakes, an essential item on every offering tray of the Dao ethnic people during significant events such as the Dao New Year, Lunar New Year, weddings, and community festivals.

According to Vietnam News Agency, among these traditional dishes, the gac fruit and sesame sticky rice cake stands out due to its deep cultural significance. This cake, with its distinctive orange-red color, symbolizes the Dao people’s wishes for a prosperous, lucky, happy, and abundant life. It is crafted from highland fragrant glutinous rice, which imparts a unique chewy texture that modern cakes struggle to replicate. The integration of gac fruit into the sticky rice flour results in a cake with a light, creamy, and naturally fragrant flavor.

The cake’s exterior is adorned with golden toasted sesame seeds, enhancing its visual appeal and providing a rich, nutty taste. This traditional dish is a testament to the Dao people’s rich cultural heritage and the important role food plays in their communal and festive occasions.