Ha Thach preserves traditional crafts.

Nestled on the banks of the Thao River, the traditional rice noodle making village of Ha Thach in Phu Tho town has a long history, passed down from father to son. Over the centuries, this traditional craft remains the main occupation, providing a stable income for the local people, with more than 100 households involved in production.

Leading us on a tour of his newly completed house, smelling of fresh paint, finished just over two months ago, Mr. Tran Huu Hoa from Hung Thao area shared: “Since I was little, I helped my parents make cakes, so I’ve gained experience over time. When I got married, my wife and I were determined to stick with the craft, even though the equipment was very rudimentary back then and not as modern as it is now. Making cakes isn’t difficult, but it requires diligence, meticulousness, and staying up late and waking up early. After more than 40 years in the profession, my wife and I now have a spacious new house.”

Mrs. Tran Thi Loan's family is preparing banana leaves to wrap banh chung (Vietnamese rice cakes).

In Ha Thach, families in the village produce various types of traditional cakes year-round, such as banh chung (sticky rice cake), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), banh tai (ear-shaped cakes), banh ran (fried cakes), banh gai (thorny cakes), vermicelli, and rice noodles, mainly supplying Phu Tho town and some neighboring districts including Thanh Ba, Phu Ninh, and Lam Thao. Recently, to improve productivity and product quality, many families have invested in modern machinery and equipment, diversifying their products to meet food safety and hygiene requirements while also building their own brands and trademarks.

Families in the craft village have all invested in modern machinery and equipment.

The villagers in the craft village often say that if you visit in the morning, you won't see anyone, but in the afternoon, everyone is there. Morning work starts from 2 am to 5 am, after which people take their noodles and cakes to sell and deliver. Afternoon work continues from 3 pm to 10 pm. Regardless of the weather, cold or rainy, the alleys leading into the village remain brightly lit and bustling with vehicles, the lively chatter of delivery people and customers, and the humming of machines as nimble hands produce batches of hot noodles and cakes.

For 35 years, Mrs. Tran Thi Loan's family has been diligently making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), selling around 300 cakes a day. Although the business is year-round, the peak period is from the 20th day of the 12th lunar month onwards, when the number of orders increases two to three times, requiring family members to work longer hours to meet customer demand. The work at the end of the year is hard, but everyone is happy because they have a prosperous and fulfilling Tet (Lunar New Year).

The Ha Thach noodle-making village was recognized in 2013, and in 2019, the Ha Thach Noodle-Making Cooperative was established, serving as the first foundation for building a local brand. In 2023, the Intellectual Property Office ( Ministry of Science and Technology ) decided to grant a Certificate of Registration for the collective trademark of Ha Thach noodles and rice cakes, providing the locality with a legal basis and exclusive protection for its products. This further motivates households to develop sustainable production and business, expand their markets, and maintain the reputation and quality of their brand.

Mr. Hoa's new house after many years dedicated to his traditional craft.

Comrade Ha Thi Phuong Thu – Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, said: “The traditional rice noodle making profession in the locality has contributed to providing employment for over 300 workers with an average income of 60 million VND/person/year. Stable family finances and improved material and spiritual lives are also the basis for people to actively and voluntarily participate in contributing to the construction of new rural areas and local movements and activities.”

Over a century filled with ups and downs and generations of successors, those involved in the craft village now not only make a living but also contribute to preserving the traditional culture of their homeland, determined to stay and develop the craft village, bringing the flavors of local cakes to all parts of the province.

Vy An

Source: https://baophutho.vn/ha-thach-giu-nghe-truyen-thong-224729.htm