Hai Duong mung bean cakes in the South
Hai Duong mung bean cake has become a hometown gift for expatriates and a new specialty for people in Southern localities.
Hai Duong mung bean cakes (MBC) are easily found in many provinces and cities in the Southern region thanks to traffic development and trade promotion.
Nguyen Huong MBCs were first present in Ho Chi Minh city in 1992, followed by Hoa An, Hoang Gia, Huong Nguyen, and Minh Ngoc ones, among others.
Hai Duong MBCs are now on sale at many supermarkets and stores in the Southern region, mostly the central districts of Ho Chi Minh city.
Hai Duong-born Nguyen Thi Hong, who has lived in Ho Chi Minh city for nearly 20 years, always buys Nguyen Huong-branded MBCs at a store on Nguyen Van Troi street, Phu Nhuan district when feeling homesick.
“Our family treats all guests to MBCs to introduce them our homeland’s specialty,” said Hoa.
“Pho Bac” (Northern Quarter) on Chu Manh Trinh street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh city is a famous market of Northern specialties. MBCs are sold quite commonly there every Tet (Lunar New Year) as a popular specialty among local customers.
“Hai Duong MBCs have long been sold to people of Northern origin, especially Hai Duong natives, at this market every Tet to somewhat relieve their homesick,” said Dao Trong Hung, owner of store selling Northern specialties at the market.
“People in Ho Chi Minh city, especially those of Chinese origin living in District 5, are very fond of MBCs,” Hung added.
MBCs are often introduced at fairs in Ho Chi Minh city and many other provinces and cities in the Southern region, according to Nguyen Luong Ngoc, Director of the Hai Duong Department of Industry and Trade’s Center for Trade Promotion.
Considering the region a potential market, MBC producers in Hai Duong are seeking ways to expand distribution channels there.
Rong Vang Hoang Gia MBCs were officially available at supermarkets like BigC, Co-op Mart, and E-mart in Ho Chi Minh city in 2017. MBCs of this brand have so far been present at tourist stopovers and a lot of grocery stores in various Southern localities.
“Hai Duong MBCs are favored by not only Southern tourists but also foreign ones,” said Nguyen Thi Nhung, a salesperson at Truc Xanh tourist stopover in My Tho city, Tien Giang province.
Hai Duong is home to about 100 MBC producers, many of them are investing in the domestic market, which makes up a large proportion aside from export.
In addition to traditional offline channels like supermarkets, stores, and tourist stopovers, MBCs are also sold through social networking sites to expand the domestic market share.
BAO ANH