In Huong Son commune, the craft of making "cu do" candy enters its busiest season of the year, where each batch of candy is not just a product but also the soul of the Tet holiday in the countryside. At the production facility of Ms. Ho Thi Xuan, born in 1981, the working atmosphere in the days leading up to Tet is almost non-stop. Even past noon, workers are still diligently working beside the molasses pans, some roasting peanuts, some pressing the candy, and others packaging it. The crackling sound of stirring the candy blends with the sweet aroma that fills the entire house.

Ms. Xuan's family has been involved in this business for over 20 years. While skillfully stirring the syrup, she shared: "We make 'cu do' (a type of Vietnamese candy) all year round, but the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) is the busiest. Demand for it as gifts increases sharply, so we have to work overtime to meet delivery deadlines. It's harder work, but everyone is happy because it provides extra income."

The atmosphere at the candy-making facilities is bustling in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

According to Ms. Xuan, the production facility normally produces about 4,000 candies per day. During the peak season at the end of the year, this number increases to 5,000 to 6,000. The wholesale price is around 4,000 VND per candy, and the retail price is 5,000 VND. Orders come not only from within the province but also from many other localities, and some customers even order them to send abroad to relatives living far from home.

Ha Tinh's Cu Do candy has a simple appearance, consisting of two thin layers of rice paper sandwiching a dark brown filling in the middle. But behind that rustic appearance lies a process that demands care and experience. Ms. Xuan explains that to make a delicious piece of candy, the ingredients must be carefully selected. The peanuts must be plump and uniform; the molasses golden and thick; the rice paper must be of the right thickness; and the fresh ginger must be spicy and fragrant to create its distinctive flavor.

"The most important thing is refining the syrup. The heat must be just right, and you must stir constantly to prevent it from sticking to the pan. If the heat is too low, the candy will be soft; if it's too high, the syrup will be too dark and overly sweet. Experienced makers can tell if it's ready just by looking at the color of the syrup," Mrs. Xuan shared, her eyes still fixed on the simmering candy in the pan.

When the syrup reaches the desired consistency, roasted peanuts and ginger are added, stirred quickly, and then poured onto a rice paper wrapper. Another wrapper is placed on top, and the mixture is gently pressed down while still hot. This seemingly simple process requires speed and precision. Even a slight delay can result in the candy not sticking together properly or becoming too hard.

To meet the increasing demand, in recent years Ms. Xuan's facility has invested in additional machinery to support the packaging process and increase production. However, the main stages of production still retain traditional methods. According to her, this is the only way to preserve the "authentic taste" that has made Ha Tinh's cu do candy brand so famous.

The candy-making business also provides stable employment for more than 20 local workers, with an average income of 6 to 7 million VND per month, not including overtime pay during the year-end season. Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, who has been working at the facility for over 5 years, shared: “The work isn't too strenuous, and it's close to home, so I still have time to take care of my family and farm. Although the Tet season is busy, everyone is happy because they have extra income.”

Not only Mrs. Xuan's establishment, but most families making "cu do" candy in Huong Son commune are entering their peak production season these days. From early morning to late night, the candy stoves burn continuously. Laughter and chatter, mixed with the sounds of packaging and transporting goods, create a bustling scene of labor, imbued with the atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

Cu Đơ candy is a familiar and beloved traditional treat in Ha Tinh.

Comrade Tran Tuan Khoa, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Son commune, said that the craft of making "cu do" (a type of Vietnamese candy) has become one of the important economic development directions of the commune. "Currently, the locality has a 'cu do' product that has achieved OCOP 3-star certification. We regularly encourage businesses to participate in the OCOP program to improve quality and build a sustainable brand," Mr. Khoa said.

According to the Vice Chairman, the commune identifies trade and services as the main areas of development, and therefore always creates favorable conditions for production facilities to maintain and expand their scale. In addition to supporting procedures, the locality also encourages households to apply technology, diversify distribution channels, and gradually bring products to a wider market.

From a simple, rustic local treat, Ha Tinh's "cu do" candy has made its way onto numerous e-commerce platforms and traveled with tourists to all corners of the country. However, what keeps consumers coming back is the traditional flavor preserved through generations. As evening falls, in the still-warm kitchen, the last batches of candy for the day are carefully packaged. Beside a warm cup of tea, a piece of "cu do" candy is broken in half with a crisp sound, its gentle sweetness spreading across the tongue. Amidst modern life, this small candy quietly holds its special place on the Tet tea table, carrying the aroma of molasses and a longing for home.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/giu-lua-cu-do-giua-mua-tet-1026496