Phu Long craft village during the Tet rice flake season.

As Tet (Vietnamese New Year) approaches, alongside traditional dishes such as banh tet (sticky rice cake), pickled onions, ginger jam, pumpkin jam, and the five-fruit platter, every family in Ham Thuan Bac district cannot do without banh com (rice cakes) to offer to their ancestors.

Therefore, these days, in the craft village of Phu Long town, Ham Thuan Bac district, everyone is busy with many tasks, making sure to produce beautiful, uniquely flavored sticky rice cakes to serve the market for the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon 2024.

Ms. Tran Thi Muoi (born in 1962), residing in Phu Thanh neighborhood, Phu Long town, Ham Thuan Bac district, who has over 40 years of experience in the rice puffing business, shared that due to starting a little late, she has had to keep the fire burning day and night to supply customers with about 1.5 tons of puffed rice from 3 tons of glutinous rice that she prepared early. The glutinous rice must be selected from the previous harvest, dried, and carefully stored until just before Tet (Lunar New Year). Before roasting, the rice must be cleaned of dust, and any empty grains removed to prevent contamination. Then, it is soaked in water and left to ferment for about 3 days so that the grains pop evenly and achieve the highest yield. Although it is hard work, Ms. Muoi still feels happy because she wants to contribute to preserving the beautiful cultural tradition of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Nguyen Thi Thiep, from Phu Thinh neighborhood, Phu Long town, Ham Thuan Bac district, said that currently, there are only 3 families in Phu Long town making traditional sticky rice cakes for the Lunar New Year. To supply the market with 8,000-8,400 traditional sticky rice cakes, using 1-1.5 tons of puffed rice, she has mobilized more than 10 workers. Some are in charge of processing the ginger; others of making the sugar syrup; some of the mixing and pressing of the puffed rice; and others of grating the rice. Making a beautiful, high-quality, and delicious sticky rice cake is a meticulous process, from selecting and processing the glutinous rice to roasting, stirring, pressing, drying, and wrapping the cakes. All stages require careful attention and dedication from the baker.

Although many varieties of cakes and sweets are available on the market today, the traditional sticky rice cake still holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Phu Long town, Ham Thuan Bac district in particular, and the whole country in general. Offering sticky rice cakes to ancestors and grandparents during Tet (Lunar New Year) is a beautiful tradition of the nation that every family cherishes.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/lang-nghe-phu-long-vao-mua-com-tet-116682.html