The Vietnamese word "bánh chưng" refers to a traditional square glutinous rice cake that is especially popular during the Lunar New Year (Tết). It is made from glutinous rice, filled with a mixture of green bean paste and fatty pork, and wrapped in dong leaves (or banana leaves). The cake is then boiled for several hours, which gives it a unique flavor and texture.
While "bánh chưng" specifically refers to the square rice cake, the word "bánh" itself can refer to a wide variety of cakes and pastries in Vietnamese cuisine, such as bánh mì (bread) or bánh kem (cake).