Tay ethnic girl applies technology to develop "brocade-patterned rice noodles".

In her hometown of Trung Hoa village, Cong Bang commune (Pac Nam district, Bac Kan province), Phan Thi To Muoi, a Tay ethnic minority woman, along with members of the To Muoi Cooperative, has applied modern technology and harnessed the power of social media to improve product quality and bring "brocade noodles" to a wider market.

Báo Phụ nữ Việt Nam•23/05/2025

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Ms. Phan Thi To Muoi promotes her rice noodle products on Facebook and Zalo.

In her hometown of Trung Hoa village, Cong Bang commune (Pac Nam district, Bac Kan province), Phan Thi To Muoi, a Tay ethnic minority woman, along with members of the To Muoi Cooperative, has applied modern technology and harnessed the power of social media to improve product quality and bring "brocade noodles" to a wider market.

The journey from humble dried rice noodles to highly nutritious products is not just a startup story, but also an example of perseverance, creativity, and national pride of this Tay girl. Vietnam Women's Newspaper interviewed Ms. Phan Thi To Muoi about this journey.

PV: Could you share a little about your family and the tradition of producing dried rice noodles?

I was born and raised in Trung Hoa village, Cong Bang commune, a place with a long tradition of making rice noodles. My family has been in this business for a very long time. As a child, I was familiar with following my mother in making rice noodles, from soaking the rice and grinding the flour to pressing the noodles. After graduating from Bac Kan College, I decided to return to my hometown to continue the craft and find new directions for developing the product.

PV: How did you begin developing your family's traditional dried rice noodle product?

At the end of 2020, I, along with several other households in the village, established the To Muoi Cooperative with 7 members, and I served as its Director. We invested in building a workshop and purchasing modern machinery such as grinding machines, fiber pressing machines, and packaging machines. The transition from an individual household production model to a cooperative has raised the standards for product quality and design.

PV: Everything has become professional! Could you elaborate on the current production process for dried rice noodles?

Currently, our rice noodle production process is fully automated. Stages such as rice milling, dough pressing, noodle making, and packaging are all mechanized. The skill and technique of the machine operators are crucial to ensuring quality. We use Bao Thai rice – a local specialty rice variety – which gives our noodles a distinctive flavor.

Inspired by the idea of colorful sticky rice, Ms. Mười created the "brocade-patterned rice noodles" product.

PV: So, how did the idea to create "brocade-patterned rice noodles" begin?

I researched and developed the "brocade rice noodles" product. The idea is based on the five-colored sticky rice dish of my ethnic group, using Bao Thai rice and natural dyes from vegetables such as pumpkin, perilla leaves, butterfly pea flowers, etc. Initially, I faced many difficulties, with many batches failing because the colors didn't meet the requirements. But through experimentation and adjusting the color ratios and dyeing time, I succeeded in creating a product that is both visually appealing and delicious, ensuring the noodles retain their vibrant color when cooked, while remaining chewy and soft like traditional noodles. Because the coloring is entirely natural, without artificial dyes, it requires sun exposure during drying to ensure safety and preserve the nutritional value of the product.

PV: What new knowledge do you apply in product development and marketing?

I learned how to research packaging and register product specifications. At the same time, we proactively used social media platforms like Facebook and Zalo to promote our products. Instead of livestreaming, we participated in trade fairs and exhibitions to showcase our products, combined with posting content to reach potential customers.

To Muoi Cooperative has a wide range of products, beautifully packaged, and clearly labeled.

PV: Could you share more about the results achieved from these activities?

The "brocade-patterned rice noodles" product, upon its launch, was warmly received by the market due to its novelty, eye-catching colors, and natural flavor. Thanks to proactive production and quality control from raw material selection to packaging, the cooperative's products are increasingly trusted by the market. We sold approximately 20 tons of products in 2024, with many positive reviews from consumers. We also have other product lines such as traditional dried rice noodles and brown rice dried rice noodles, all carefully packaged and clearly labeled, with product traceability and complete usage instructions.

PV: That's wonderful! Could you tell us more about the trade fairs and exhibitions that the cooperative participates in?

We actively participate in trade fairs both within and outside the province to promote our products. This is a great opportunity to introduce our products to consumers and expand our market. Our cooperative's products are currently available in many provinces and cities such as Hanoi , Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ngai, and Ho Chi Minh City.

PV: Do you feel pressure managing the cooperative and developing products?

Yes, absolutely! But I see it as motivation to learn and grow. I always strive to improve product quality and bring value to consumers. Recently, we received an Encouragement Award in the "Women's Creative Entrepreneurship and Green Transformation" competition organized by the Vietnam Women's Union. This is well-deserved recognition for our efforts.

PV: Thank you for sharing your effective practical experiences. We wish you and the To Muoi Cooperative continued growth and success!

I hope that my efforts will contribute to promoting local economic development and preserving the traditional crafts of my hometown.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/co-gai-tay-khong-ngung-hoc-hoi-kien-thuc-moi-van-dung-mang-xa-hoi-phat-trien-nghe-bun-kho-truyen-thong-20250506163437305.htm