Huong Tra Women's Union makes Huong Can wrapped cakes. Photo: Provincial Women's Union

Everyone is a propagandist

Together with Ms. Dao Thi Thanh Thuy, President of the Women's Union of Thuy Bieu Ward, Hue City, we visited the startup loan model in the ward. We were quite surprised when it was just a modest noodle shop on a small street in this ward, but the efficiency was very high.

We had just arrived, and customers were already coming and going. To prove what she said, Ms. Thuy went online to search for information about Dat's noodle shop owned by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, HVPN Thuy Bieu ward. Those were "5-star" reviews, "high praise" for this humble noodle shop.

Having traveled everywhere and worked many jobs, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ms. Hanh chose to return to her hometown. Having a passion for food and a knack for cooking, Ms. Hanh was advised by the Ward Women's Union on suitable business start-up plans and supported in applying for a loan.

“With a 100 million VND loan to create jobs, I rented a space and started opening a noodle shop. I only thought of selling mainly to people in the area, earning enough income to cover my living expenses. But the good news spread far and wide, and with the active promotion and introduction of the associations at all levels, my noodle shop started to attract tourists . What I didn’t expect was that after eating and finding it delicious, they posted promotional photos on social networking sites with very good reviews and feedback,” Ms. Hanh shared.

The restaurant has been open for less than two years, but every day she sells about 250 bowls of noodles, and the number of tourists is also quite high. That is the initial success that perhaps Ms. Hanh did not dare to think of.

“It is not simply about cooking “Hue-style” noodles, but noodles must always ensure fresh ingredients every day. Noodles are cooked on a wood stove and ensure food safety and hygiene. Only then will the business last long. Moreover, when tourists know about it and visit more and more every day, in addition to “earning a living”, I also have the responsibility to preserve the brand of Hue cuisine,” Ms. Hanh confided.

Sticky rice is a rustic dish but also has its own unique flavor of Hue cuisine.

While surfing Facebook, I saw a Women’s Union official post a picture of a package of lotus seed sticky rice cooked by a member on her personal page. Along with that were positive comments and many shares from friends on their personal pages with the status line “missing” the delicious Hue dishes of those who were far from home, friends who had the opportunity to visit Hue.

Or the meal of a provincial Women's Union official was replaced by a meal of vermicelli with mussels cooked by her own hands and shared on her personal Facebook page, making those who had enjoyed the taste of vermicelli with mussels remember it. And someone left a comment: "This summer I will definitely bring my whole family to Hue, all because of your bowl of vermicelli with mussels". A "loving" comment, but surely anyone who is from Hue, or is currently in Hue, reading it will feel extremely proud of the appeal of Hue cuisine.

Together we bring Hue cuisine far and wide

In the Delicious Dishes of My Hometown Contest, organized by the Provincial Women's Union at the end of May, there were many delicious dishes that were local specialties, such as banh quai vac, banh goi Huong Can, banh canh ca loc; banh xeo... Through the skillful hands of the women, the dishes were not only beautifully presented but each dish was an interesting story, closely associated with the homeland.

Ms. Tran Thanh Tam, HVPN Phuoc Vinh Ward, Hue City said: Thanks to participating in competitions or visiting booths organized by the Women's Union, I learned more about local delicacies and realized that Hue cuisine is rich and diverse. The women are very skillful, not only preparing eye-catching dishes, but also having many interesting, memorable and easy-to-understand ways of promoting cuisine.

Huong Can wrapped cakes are beautifully presented.

In recent times, the Women's Union from the provincial level to the grassroots level has actively promoted activities to promote Hue cuisine. Because each HVPN is the "owner" of each family kitchen. Not only the dishes participating in competitions, but also at any time or on the daily meal tray, just needing Hue's unique culinary dishes to be presented a little more neatly, taking a beautiful picture and posting it on social networking sites has contributed to promoting Hue cuisine to friends everywhere.

Ms. Tran Thi Kim Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, President of the Provincial Women's Union informed: In addition to regularly organizing culinary competitions, contributing to introducing Hue culinary culture and Hue cultural identity to many places, the Women's Union at all levels also promotes support, promotion and creates conditions for HVPN to borrow capital for economic development; especially start-up forms related to promoting Hue cuisine. In addition, the unions at all levels also organize many training sessions, helping members access information technology, ways to promote Hue cuisine on social networking sites...

Thanh Thao