" Hue -style dishes" was printed for the third time at Lien Hoa Printing House in Hue in 1965. The book is introduced on the website ttps://www.sachbaokhang.vn

That is the book “Hue-style dishes” (volume 1) by author Hoang Thi Kim Cuc, introduced by a collector. The book was printed for the third time, in 1965 at Lien Hoa Printing House, Lam Son Street, Hue, with a selling price of 50,000 VND.

Over time, the spine of the book is no longer intact. The cover is also torn and yellowed in many places. The illustrations are very simple, with two shrimps drawn very naturally, probably in watercolor. The book is old, but the bright red color of the lines creates an eye-catching highlight, fresh as if it were not nearly half a century ago.

A version of the book printed at Khai Tri Bookstore before 1975 is introduced on the website https://www.oreka.vn

It is a strange feeling to stop on the pages of a book that has turned the color of time. The author Hoang Thi Kim Cuc has also passed away. Later generations are also vague about the Lien Hoa Printing House in Hue in the 60s, but a familiar, close feeling evoked from the book keeps encroaching, strangely.

Familiar because the name Hoang Thi Kim Cuc evokes so many things, about a young lady of Hue in the early 20th century, also a female student of Dong Khanh. Ms. Kim Cuc was also a home economics teacher for students at the only girls' school in Hue - Dong Khanh School.

Familiar because the book guides dishes cooked in Hue style, including dry dishes, soup dishes, fried dishes, stewed dishes with various types of melons, eggplants, fish sauce, salt, and articles about the seasons of vegetables, beans... The book is not only a cooking guide but also a journey to discover culinary culture with dishes such as Hue beef noodle soup, banh beo, banh nam or hen rice... Each page of the book seems to show Hue, from the word "Hue style", from the simple introduction written by the author himself with the annotation: "Vy Da, autumn of the year of the Goat".

Like me, the old book on Hue home economics received special attention from followers. Everyone wished to own the book, not only to practice cooking Hue-style dishes. Over time, along with the special name of the girl from Vy Kim Cuc village echoing in Han Mac Tu's poetry, the book has become a heritage.

The book was printed for the 5th time at Khai Tri Bookstore with the words "Dedicated to female students" and the author's initials Hoang Thi Kim Cuc (kc). Photo courtesy

I found out that on the Internet, there are many places that specialize in selling old books. There, you can find another version of “Hue-style dishes” printed for the 5th time at Khai Tri Bookstore (Le Loi Avenue - Saigon) before 1975, or the first printed version by Tan Dan Publishing House in Hue.

It turns out that old books still have their own interesting life. There are still many people who are attached to the old knowledge, held on to the pages of books. Perhaps, keeping old books, loving old books, collecting old books is also a slow lifestyle, in the midst of life becoming too fast, too hurried, to see that books are never old.

Little Sister