The keeper of the soul of rice paper in Tay Dam Rong village

DNVN - In the highland of Dam Rong (Lam Dong), where more than 20 ethnic groups converge, there is a special flavor that is gradually spreading everywhere, that is Tay village rice paper. In that development journey, Mr. Luan Van Quy is one of the pioneers to preserve and turn the traditional flavor into a typical local product.

What inspired you to start making rice paper in this highland region?

Mr. Luan Van Quy: I was born in Lang Son , where rice paper is not only a dish but also a memory of every family. In 2012, when I returned to my hometown, I ate the traditional rice paper of my people again. That flavor seemed to awaken something in me. When I returned to Phi Lieng commune, where I started my career, I thought why not bring that flavor here? I started experimenting, learning, making it myself and then with my family built the first small production facility.

Mr. Luan Van Quy - the keeper of the soul of rice paper from Tay Dam Rong village.

At that time, did you have any difficulties starting from zero?

Mr. Luan Van Quy: A lot! From finding the right ingredients, mixing the flour to make the cake both soft and fragrant, to drying the cake in the harsh climate of Dam Rong. Everything had to be tried, failed and then tried again. At first, we could only make a few hundred cakes a day, but everyone in the family persevered. Luckily, the products were supported by the locals, then tourists passing by also bought them and gradually, the good news spread far and wide.

What makes Tay village rice paper different, sir?

Mr. Luan Van Quy : We keep our own secret in mixing the flour, the ratio of rice and tapioca starch, adding a little salt to create richness. But more than that, we use a greenhouse to take advantage of the sunlight without being affected by wind and rain, keeping the natural coffee brown and turmeric yellow color of the cake. The technique of coating the cake with a machine is modern but still requires skilled workers. Thanks to that, each cake is not only a product, but also the crystallization of the earth, sky and the carefulness in each stage.

 

Dry the cake.

When mentioning Tay Dam Rong rice paper village, people immediately mention Quy Thoa rice paper factory, perhaps that is a great source of pride?

Mr. Luan Van Quy: From a small facility, we have now invested in modern machinery, and can make 400 kilograms of flour per day to produce about 2,500 cakes. We create regular jobs for about 10 local workers. The cakes are consumed not only in Dam Rong but also in Da Lat market and are now spreading throughout the country. In 2023, our products will be honored to be recognized as OCOP. That makes me and my people very proud.

 

What do you think about the certification of Tay Dam Rong rice paper?

Mr. Luan Van Quy: This is a big turning point. No matter how delicious a product is, if it does not have a brand, it is difficult to go far. Being granted the certification mark of Tay Dam Rong rice paper helps us have the opportunity to protect the brand, clearly identify the origin, enhance the value and most importantly, help consumers feel more secure when choosing. I really hope that after having the brand, Tay village rice paper products will enter the supermarket system, specialty stores and even be exported.

As a pioneer, what are your plans for long-term development?

Mr. Luan Van Quy: I am aiming to expand the scale and standardize production processes according to food safety standards. In the near future, I want to cooperate with households in the village to form cooperatives, share experiences, and create collective resources.

Tay Dam Rong rice paper is packaged more and more professionally to target higher-end markets.

 

We also plan to organize rice paper making tours for tourists when they come to Dam Rong. People who travel now like to experience and touch the soul of local culture. I want each cake to tell a story about my homeland and the people here.

I also hope to receive support in communication, packaging, QR codes for traceability… so that the product can go further. But wherever I go, I still keep my passion: the cake must be clean, delicious and carry the soul of the Tay people in the great Dam Rong forest.

Thank you!

Series of articles and images implementing the tasks of the Science and Technology project: Promoting products of Dam Rong district that have been certified with the Certification Mark.

Vien Huu - Tam An

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nhan/nguoi-giu-hon-banh-trang-lang-tay-dam-rong/20250613113037891