Cakes for Reunification Day Celebration

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam is preparing for celebrations of the 50th anniversary of  Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 – 2025) with a series of activities regardless of parades, performances, fireworks, and official ceremonies.

Joining the whole country, local bakers are adding their own sweet touch to the festivities.

Inspired by national pride, bakers across Vietnam are creating "patriotic cakes" that are not only delicious, but also beautiful. These special treats are delighting customers and spreading joy on social media.

Baker Le Thu Trang in Hanoi has created a stunning cake filled with chewy taro, pork floss, and salted egg yolk. But what really catches the eye is the sharp, detailed outline of the map of Vietnam right on top of the cake.

"It takes a lot of care to shape the cake perfectly, especially the map. You have to press the mold very slowly to keep all the lines intact," Trang said.

Her 18-cm creation also features the Dong Son bronze drum pattern, a symbol of Vietnam's rich cultural heritage dating back to the 7th century BC.

Meanwhile, Do Thu Ngoc, a 35-year-old teacher in Hanoi, gave the traditional phu the (married couple) cake a patriotic makeover. Keeping the classic mung bean filling, she dyed the crust a bright red with gac fruit and topped it with a five-pointed yellow star, just like the Vietnamese flag.

As soon as she posted photos of her creations online, they went viral. Netizens were quick to praise the cakes not only for their eye-catching look, but also for the deeper message they carried: celebrating national pride and unity. Ngoc even took a batch to a coffee shop to share with friends and soak up the good vibes.

Another standout is Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, 28, from Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District. She recreated an iconic moment in Vietnamese history: the tank that smashed through the gate of Saigon's Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. The cake includes candy details such as the multicolored flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and a section of the palace fence, while the tank-shaped chiffon cake is covered in a layer of buttercream.

"It took me about an hour to make, and although the cake is small, it holds a world of meaning," Duong said. "It's my way of honoring previous generations, those who gave their youth, their dreams, and their lives for the peace and freedom we cherish today."

Across social media platforms, more and more bakers are using their passion for baking to create edible tributes to Vietnam's heritage. Their cakes are colorful, symbolic, and full of heart.

One of them, Hoang Nguyen Lan Nhi, draws inspiration from both Japanese wagashi and Vietnamese heritage. Her adorable, bite-sized cakes feature familiar icons such as Uncle Ho's green army hat, the Vietnamese flag, a bamboo branch, and white birds flying through peaceful skies.

"These little cakes carry a reminder of our country's journey," said Nhi. "The sweetness of the cake, paired with the bold red of patriotism, is like a silent tribute to those who came before us."

Whether it's through flavor, design, or history, these bakers are proving that food can be more than just nourishment-it can be a celebration of culture, history, and pride.