Van Cu is a village located on the banks of the Bo River, famous for its traditional vermicelli-making craft, which has a long history spanning hundreds of years and is well-known in Hue City, still maintained and developed to this day. It is also the only locality in Central Vietnam that holds a ceremony honoring the patron saint of the craft, Ba Bun, on the 22nd day of the first lunar month.
The craft of making rice noodles in Van Cu is not only a means of livelihood but also a distinctive cultural feature of the local people. Each strand of noodle is not only the culmination of rice, water, and the skillful hands of the artisans, but also the pride and respect of generations for their ancestral craft.
For the people of Van Cu, rice noodles are an integral part of the village's soul, representing their memories and cultural identity. Thanks to their dedication and significant contributions to the development of traditional crafts and the village's traditional industry, in 2014, the Van Cu rice noodle village was recognized as a "traditional craft village" of Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue city).
The finished Van Cu rice noodles are distributed by villagers and buyers to markets, eateries, and restaurants throughout Hue city, contributing to the renowned brand of "Hue beef noodle soup."
What makes rice noodles a source of pride for a village, and then a traditional craft village like Van Cu today, is the quality of Van Cu rice noodles, which has become synonymous with the distinctive delicacies of Hue; and the diligence and hard work of generations of Van Cu villagers, contributing a key ingredient to the unique culinary treasure of Hue.
According to Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, the craft of making Van Cu vermicelli reflects the local identity, a culinary tradition passed down from generation to generation. Traditional vermicelli products are not only purely economic goods but also possess creative and artistic qualities, reflecting the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the Van Cu communities.
"Besides its economic value, Van Cu vermicelli also carries the spiritual values of the vermicelli-making craft, closely linked to the lives of the residents, the village landscape, the living environment, and the systems of values and norms, lifestyles, customs, festivals, and the rituals honoring the Vermicelli Goddess, creating a 'living museum' of cultural traditions," Mr. Hai said.
Mr. Do Ngoc An, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Tra town, said that the recognition of Van Cu vermicelli making as a national intangible cultural heritage not only honors a traditional craft but also acknowledges the cultural values of this region. This is an honor and a responsibility to develop the vermicelli making craft, adapting to modern life while still preserving its traditional values.
In the coming time, the local authorities and the people of Van Cu village will continue to work together to preserve and combine tradition and creativity, preserving cultural identity while developing community tourism; closely coordinating between the government, the community, and tourists, with the people as the main actors in developing community tourism.
"Preserving and developing cultural heritage from traditional craft villages is not just the responsibility of artisans alone, but requires the collective effort of the entire community. When each craft product is appreciated, and each village tour is organized, that is how we contribute to preserving and spreading the beautiful cultural values of our nation," Mr. An affirmed.
According to the People's Committee of Huong Toan commune, Van Cu village currently has about 100 households making vermicelli with more than 300 regular workers, and a significant number involved in providing raw materials and selling the products. Currently, Van Cu village produces 25-28 tons of vermicelli per day. During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), production can double, or even triple or quadruple.
On February 19th, a ceremony was held in Van Cu - Nam Thanh village (Huong Toan commune, Huong Tra town, Hue city) to receive the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the craft of making Van Cu vermicelli. Prior to this, on December 10th, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a Decision to include the traditional craft of "making Van Cu vermicelli" in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/tinh-hoa-cua-lang-van-cu-10300305.html
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