The Delicious Flavors of Hau Thanh Rice Paper and Cai Be Milk Puffed Pastry
(DTO) Amidst the rhythm of the river region, there are traditional craft villages that have sustained generations of residents and preserved the "soul of the countryside" over the years. Notable among these are the Hau Thanh Rice Paper Craft Village (Hoi Cu Commune) and the Cai Be Milk Puffed Pastry Craft Village (Cai Be Commune, Dong Thap Province).
These villages have been preserved and passed down through generations, while gradually innovating to adapt to market demands.
The production of rice paper and milk puffed pastries not only creates stable livelihoods for local people but also contributes to preserving unique culinary cultural traits deeply connected to the lives of many generations in the river region.
BUSTLING YEAR-END SEASON
During the final days of the year, entering the Tet production season, a visit to the Hau Thanh Rice Paper Craft Village reveals the aroma of steaming rice paper rising from stoves in every alley and neighborhood.
The scent of rice flour blended with coconut milk permeates every home. This is the time when villagers are busy producing to meet the Tet market demand.
At the rice paper production facility of Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen's family (Hau Thuan Hamlet), the working atmosphere is urgent.
Ms. Yen shared that the craft has been preserved in her family as a tradition passed from father to children.
This very profession has sustained her entire family for many years. Outside the kitchen, firewood is already prepared, and the heat from the stove radiates intensely. Ms. Yen deftly pours batter into the mold. In an instant, the first cake emerges, releasing the fragrant aroma of glutinous rice flour mixed with coconut milk.
In less than five minutes, the first rack of cakes is complete. Ms. Yen quickly carries them to the yard to dry before returning to start a new batch.
While gently placing each cake onto the drying rack, Ms. Yen shared that during the days leading up to Tet, when orders surge, artisans must work day and night with almost no time to rest.
The rice paper craft in Hau Thanh has existed for a very long time. According to elders, Hau Thanh rice paper is not just a familiar dish; it is a symbol of the labor spirit, creativity, and soul of the local people.
According to Mr. Huynh Van Cuoi, who has over 40 years of experience in the craft, Hau Thanh rice paper carries a unique flavor: snow-white, thin, and uniform layers with a light richness and natural fragrance thanks to a traditional family recipe.
From selecting rice and soaking the flour to steaming the cakes and sun-drying them, every stage requires the skill and dedication of the artisan.
"The secret lies in the experience and dexterity of the worker. The batter must be mixed to the right consistency, spread evenly, and steamed over moderate heat to ensure the cakes are thin and smooth.
"Each batch requires quick, decisive, and precise movements, from spreading the batter on the chiffon cloth to steaming it thoroughly. Afterward, the rice papers are arranged on bamboo racks and carried to the yard for sun-drying. It is this meticulousness and hard work that create the true value of every Hau Thanh rice paper," Mr. Cuoi shared.
Alongside the Hau Thanh Rice Paper Village, the Cai Be Milk Puffed Pastry Craft Village is also bustling for the year-end season.
The thin, round milk puffed pastries are neatly arranged on drying racks, emitting the scent of cassava, sugar, milk, and coconut milk.
As batch after batch of pastries leaves the ovens, the pace of labor becomes more urgent and vibrant than usual, signaling that the Lunar New Year is fast approaching.
At the Thanh Tuyen milk puffed pastry facility, work begins early in the morning. From a craft once entirely manual, many stages have now been mechanized, contributing to higher productivity and stable product quality.
The facility provides regular employment for dozens of local laborers, helping many families earn a stable income during the peak year-end months.
Having been with the craft for over 20 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Tu, a resident of Cai Be Commune, considers milk puffed pastry not just a livelihood but an integral part of daily life.
Mr. Tu shared: "I have done this for over 20 years. Every day, after costs, I earn a few hundred thousand VND, enough to cover family expenses.
This is not merely a means of survival; milk puffed pastry is a memory and a story passed down through generations, preserving the unique culinary culture of the Cai Be region."
TAKING THE FLAVOR FURTHER
At one point, the Cai Be Milk Puffed Pastry Craft Village flourished with over 200 households, providing jobs for about 1,000 local laborers.
Currently, only nearly 20 households remain dedicated to the craft; however, the locality still identifies this as a traditional profession that needs preservation and sustainable development.
Reality shows that maintaining and expanding these craft villages still faces numerous difficulties. According to Mr. Tran Van Nhon (Hamlet 4, Cai Be Commune), the production process for milk puffed pastry previously involved up to 12 stages. To date, production facilities have only managed to mechanize the rolling and drying phases.
The remaining stages must still be performed manually, which represents a significant limitation. Currently, investing in developing the craft to a larger scale has not yet been realized.
The concerns of Mr. Nhon reflect the common sentiments of many milk puffed pastry producers in Cai Be, as they struggle to preserve traditional techniques while seeking ways to adapt to the increasing demands of the market.
Facing this reality, local authorities are gradually researching suitable support solutions. Mr. Vo Tan Thuan, Head of the Cai Be Commune Economic Office, stated that the Commune Party Committee and People's Committee are considering policies to create conditions for the craft village to develop more stably. This aims not only to preserve the values of traditional crafts but also to contribute to job creation and income enhancement for local residents.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Nhiem, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Hoi Cu Commune People's Committee, Hau Thanh rice paper is favored by consumers both inside and outside the province for its delicious and distinctive flavor. The village operates year-round; however, during the Tet holiday, market demand surges, requiring production ovens to operate at full capacity to meet supply needs. Hau Thanh rice paper products are currently distributed through traders from various regions and sold at retail to visitors as gifts, especially during the Tet season, helping people increase their income. |
Not only is the Cai Be Milk Puffed Pastry Craft Village facing challenges in preservation and development, but the Hau Thanh Rice Paper Craft Village is also striving to adapt and find a suitable path to maintain livelihoods while conserving the traditional values that have been attached to this land for generations.
Accordingly, local authorities and production households are coordinating to build the "Hau Thanh Rice Paper" brand, focusing on improving packaging and enhancing product quality.
The locality encourages the application of science and technology in production, diversifying designs, and increasing productivity and competitiveness. Additionally, they support residents in accessing preferential loans, while emphasizing environmental protection and food safety to ensure the sustainable development of the craft village.
By D.PHI
Translated by X.QUANG
