Promoting the development of cuisine in Ward 2, Dong Ha City.

Ward 2 is considered the culinary center of Dong Ha City, home to many unique and delicious dishes that attract tourists to enjoy throughout the day. To capitalize on this strength, contribute to job creation, increase income, and promote socio-economic development, Ward 2 has made many efforts to spread the value of its cuisine.

Leaders of Dong Ha City present gifts to encourage food businesses participating in the festival to promote and develop the culinary values ​​of Ward 2 - Photo: TU LINH

With a history spanning hundreds of years, the people of Ward 2, Dong Ha City, have lived and developed along the banks of the Hieu River, which is rich in local specialties and convenient for farming, fishing, and aquaculture. They have always been conscious of how to prepare dishes using local ingredients to better serve people's lives. Over time, the culinary products of Ward 2 have also met the tastes of a wide range of people, including tourists .

Ms. Nguyen Thi Em, owner of the duck porridge and snakehead fish rice porridge stall at 29 Mac Dinh Chi Street, said that she sells porridge twice a day. In the morning, she sells out by 6-7 am, and in the afternoon, she starts selling fish porridge from 3-4 pm. Many people acknowledge that her porridge is delicious, but she only cooks four pots each day. Those who come late will find there's no porridge left, but she doesn't cook more. She shared that over time, she has adjusted the seasoning to suit customers' tastes, so her duck porridge and snakehead fish rice porridge are very popular.

In reality, the cuisine of Ward 2 mainly consists of everyday, traditional dishes and snacks that are prepared meticulously, showcasing the distinctive flavors of the locality and catering to the needs and tastes of diners. Some delicious breakfast options include duck porridge, rice flour porridge with snakehead fish, sticky rice with chicken, sticky rice with corn, and steamed rice rolls; while afternoon snacks include: banh beo, banh loc, banh nam, vermicelli with toasted rice, turmeric vermicelli, and beef porridge.

Many of the eateries here have been in business for decades, with generations of families passing down the secrets to preparing delicious dishes. Initially, people prepared the food for their families, then sold it to a small group in the alleys and neighborhoods of the area. The reputation spread, and many tourists came to enjoy the food.

According to Nguyen Duy Duc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ward 2, in recent times, with the city's rapid urbanization, many households in Ward 2 have expanded their food and beverage businesses, with income from food services becoming their main source of revenue.

Besides a few households that primarily utilize their living spaces for selling food, there are also small groups of businesses concentrated in locations such as the intersections of Dang Dung - Mac Dinh Chi; Ngo Si Lien - Kim Dong; Phan Huy Chu - Ngo Si Lien streets, etc., creating convenience and many choices for diners visiting Ward 2. In particular, a significant advantage is that food vendors, by utilizing their existing living spaces and gardens, offer relatively inexpensive dishes, thus attracting a large number of customers.

Recently, the People's Committee of Ward 2 organized a festival to promote and develop the value of local cuisine, launching a nine-member Propaganda and Mobilization Working Committee chaired by the Vice Chairman of the Ward People's Committee, with members including the chairmen and vice-chairmen of various associations and organizations in the ward. The committee's nhiệm vụ (tasks) include sharing information with existing food businesses and encouraging other households in the area to participate in developing and promoting delicious, high-quality, reasonably priced food in a friendly business environment, creating more jobs for workers.

Specifically, the committee will coordinate with local residents and relevant units to further research new and effective products and business models from other places that are suitable for the locality, in order to develop more products and business models, creating richness and diversity to attract tourists.

Currently, the ward manages the "Ward 2 Cuisine" fanpage to promote the dishes of Ward 2 to diners both within and outside the province. This includes information such as food images, opening hours, prices, addresses, and phone numbers of businesses to facilitate contact and transactions. News, articles, and images are updated weekly. In the near future, the ward plans to create promotional videos showcasing the food preparation process to reach a wider audience.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Duc added: To further spread the culinary values ​​of Ward 2, the Ward People's Committee has issued Plan No. 97/KH-UBND dated October 6, 2023, on implementing Resolution No. 49-NQ/DU dated October 2, 2023, of the Ward 2 Party Committee, aiming to "innovate the service sector towards promoting the local culinary service industry in the period 2023-2025, with a vision to 2030".

Specifically, the proposal suggests that the city should establish a concentrated food service area characteristic of Ward 2 and encourage the creation of 1 to 2 streets (Dang Dung and Bui Thi Xuan streets) specializing in food businesses, prioritizing investment in eye-catching decorations to create a highlight and attract diners to Ward 2.

Currently, the Ward People's Committee is coordinating with relevant agencies to review land resources in the ward to propose to the City People's Committee the allocation of land for the establishment of a centralized food service area. This will create opportunities for workers without a place to register their businesses in the concentrated area. In addition, the Ward People's Committee will propose facilitating access to low-interest loans for food businesses to invest in and promote the development of the food service industry.

Tu Linh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/thuc-day-phat-trien-am-thuc-cua-phuong-2-thanh-pho-dong-ha/183235.htm