Preserving the traditional craft of My Long rice paper making helps reduce poverty.

In Vinh Long, the centuries-old My Long rice paper making village is still preserved by its people, who overcome difficulties to maintain this distinctive traditional craft of the coconut-growing region.

The My Long rice paper making village (Nghia Huan hamlet, Luong Phu commune, Vinh Long province; formerly part of My Thanh commune, Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province) has long been considered the cradle of the traditional rice paper making craft in the coconut-growing region. For over a century, the craft has been preserved by many households, despite market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasing pressure to make a living.

The My Long rice paper making village is over 100 years old. Photo: Minh Dam.

Staying up late and waking up early to keep the flame of traditional crafts alive.

Every year, starting from the beginning of October in the lunar calendar, the My Long rice paper making village enters its peak production period to meet the demand for consumption during the Lunar New Year. In many households, the work of making rice paper often begins at 1-2 a.m.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, who has been involved in the craft for many years, said that the entire process of making rice paper is still done manually. One person lights the fire to cook the batter, another spreads the batter, and another takes the rice paper out to dry. Each step requires meticulous attention to detail and years of experience. “On weekdays, I work alone, earning a few hundred thousand dong. During Tet (Lunar New Year), my husband helps. It’s hard work, but I’m used to it. Seeing the beautiful rice paper makes me happy,” she shared. Her family’s products are mainly sold in An Giang , Dong Thap, and Can Tho, markets that highly appreciate the traditional flavor of rice paper.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy said that she makes rice paper year-round, but the market becomes more vibrant at the beginning of October in the lunar calendar. Photo: Minh Dam.

According to locals, the craft of making My Long rice paper has a history of over 100 years. Previously, the village had nearly 400 households involved in production, but now only over 60 remain. Despite the low income, many families remain committed to the craft. This is because it is not only a source of livelihood but also a legacy from their ancestors, a culinary cultural feature of the old Ben Tre region and the present-day Vinh Long.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung (75 years old) still regularly makes rice paper rolls to order for his regular customers. Nearly half a century of dedication to the craft has given him a deep understanding of the cultural value of preserving it. "Ingredients have increased in price, and the profit isn't much, but I still do it. This is a traditional family craft; it would be a great pity to give it up," he confided.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Huy, whose family has been making rice paper for generations, believes that the greatest value of the My Long rice paper making craft is that it helps people become self-sufficient in income while preserving the distinctive flavor of their homeland. "This job is hard work, but it provides something to rely on. Preserving the craft means preserving the village culture," he said.

These pancakes are made by hand. Photo: Minh Đảm.

Many challenges surround the traditional craft village.

Despite its long-standing tradition, the My Long rice paper making craft is facing a series of challenges. The price of raw materials, especially coconut, has increased two to three times compared to the same period last year, while the selling price of rice paper is only around 50,000 VND per dozen and is difficult to raise due to its dependence on the domestic market. This has resulted in increasingly modest incomes for those involved in the craft and makes it difficult to attract young workers.

Most households still maintain manual, small-scale production methods. Only six establishments in the entire commune use semi-industrial methods with electric machines, but the drying process still depends on the weather, leading to inconsistent productivity and quality. The number of skilled artisans is decreasing, and the risk of a shortage of successors in the future is considered a major challenge for the locality.

According to Mr. Ngo Tan Quyen, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Quoi commune, the government has implemented many support measures to maintain and develop the craft village. My Long rice paper has achieved OCOP 3-star certification, and the craft village was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2018, which is an important advantage in promoting and building the brand.

The local authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to support technological improvements suitable to traditional production characteristics; connecting consumption, building collective trademarks, and expanding markets. "Despite ups and downs, the commune remains determined to preserve the craft village, because it is an integral part of the locality's soul," Mr. Quyen emphasized.

The cakes are packed into protective bags for delivery to sales agents in various provinces. Photo: Minh Đảm.

In line with the policy of developing rural industries.

Recently, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long province assigned relevant departments and agencies to implement the program for the preservation and development of Vietnamese craft villages for the period 2021-2030, in accordance with Notice 688 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The announcement emphasized that rural industries are a unique economic sector, contributing to job creation, increased income, diversified livelihoods, and the preservation of cultural values. Many models linking production, tourism, and e-commerce have emerged, supporting the restoration of traditional crafts and the development of OCOP (One Commune One Product). However, craft villages still face many limitations such as small scale, short value chains, dwindling workforce, inconsistent national data, and a small number of successor artisans.

The Ministry has set several key priorities: developing industries linked to culture, tourism, and national brands; each product should tell a story of local culture and reach international markets.

Institutionally, it is necessary to review and amend Decree 52/2018/ND-CP on the development of rural industries towards a "greener, more digital, and more far-reaching" direction, build a set of criteria for sustainable craft villages, and integrate green growth goals, circular economy, digital transformation, and OCOP criteria into the development of craft villages.

The ministry also requested the creation of a digital database and map of craft villages to serve planning and tourism; the development of human resources, the honoring of artisans, and the training of the next generation.

The craft of making My Long rice paper was recognized as a national cultural heritage in 2018. Photo: Minh Dam.

Simultaneously, research should be conducted on establishing innovation centers for craft villages, organizing festivals, and showcasing products using new technologies. Regarding the market, the focus should be on expanding consumption through e-commerce and smart logistics, and potentially launching a "One Million Digital Orders for Craft Villages" campaign to enhance the digital sales capabilities of establishments, cooperatives, and artisans.

This orientation opens up great opportunities for traditional craft villages like My Long rice paper to receive more systematic support in terms of market access, technology, digital transformation, and sustainable development. My Long rice paper is not only made from rice and coconut, but also embodies the labor, diligence, and love for the craft of the local people. In the context of rural modernization, the perseverance of the people of My Long is proof of the enduring vitality of traditional crafts. Preserving the craft means preserving the soul of the countryside, safeguarding the imprint of generations, and creating a foundation for the craft to continue to be passed on to future generations.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/giu-lua-nghe-banh-trang-my-long-d784174.html