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| Ms. Vu Thu Huyen (on the left in the photo) often brings her rice cake products to introduce, promote, and sell at trade fairs. |
Recalling the early days of her business, Ms. Huyen shared that her married life was fraught with difficulties. Lacking capital and stable employment, the couple had to scramble to make ends meet. It was in this situation that the desire to find a suitable profession, one that could be committed to long-term and provide for the family, motivated her to ponder and seek a new direction.
In 2007, a significant turning point in her life occurred when she decided to go to Quan Ganh ( Hanoi ) to learn the craft of making sticky rice cakes. In the early days of learning the trade, she faced many difficulties: from selecting and soaking the rice, steaming it, pounding the dough, to shaping the cakes to ensure they were soft, smooth, and evenly white… All of these required meticulousness, experience, and especially a passion for the craft. Undeterred, she persevered, learning and practicing repeatedly until she mastered each step.
After honing her skills, Ms. Huyen returned to Bach Quang ward and boldly opened the Khanh Huyen rice cake production facility. Initially, the facility produced only small quantities, mainly serving the local community.
Ms. Huyen said: “Initially lacking capital, I boldly borrowed 5 million VND from the TYM Fund to supplement my capital for purchasing more raw materials and production equipment. Although the amount was not large, it was an important ‘lever’ for me to expand the scale of my baking business and improve product quality.”
Based on her own experience, Ms. Huyen encouraged female members to boldly access loan sources and use them effectively to develop their businesses , rise out of poverty sustainably, and contribute to affirming the role of women in the family and society.
What makes Khanh Huyen's sticky rice cake brand so special is her principle of "only selling cakes made on the same day." Ms. Huyen resolutely refuses to sell leftover or stale cakes. "Sticky rice cakes are for offerings, celebrations, and funerals, so they must be fresh and delicious. Selling old cakes would be a disservice to our customers," she says. Therefore, even if she doesn't sell all the cakes she makes on any given day, she is willing to throw them away rather than sacrifice customer trust for profit.
Thanks to maintaining its quality and reputation, Khanh Huyen's rice cakes are not only consumed within Thai Nguyen province but also in many neighboring provinces. In particular, the cakes are mainly served at funerals, weddings, festivals, and Tet (Lunar New Year), so sales are always high, averaging over 1,000 cakes per day. During peak seasons, the business has to operate at full capacity, hiring about 20 additional seasonal workers to meet market demand.
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| Rice cakes are a popular choice for many people to buy and enjoy during holidays, festivals, funerals, and weddings. |
Not only does Ms. Huyen create jobs for many local workers, but she also pays them fairly, with a daily wage of 300,000 - 350,000 VND per person. On weekdays, the business maintains 5 regular workers. From a family with difficult economic conditions, thanks to the rice cake making business, Ms. Huyen's family now has a stable and comfortable life. But what is even more valuable is that she doesn't keep her achievements to herself but always actively participates in local activities, sharing her business experience and helping women in difficult circumstances to improve their lives.
Amidst the sweet, chewy aroma of the round, white rice cakes, the story of Ms. Huyen's life and career quietly unfolds, becoming a source of inspiration for many, especially rural women, on their journey of entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and contributing to their homeland.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202601/deo-thom-banh-giay-truyen-thong-de22b05/
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