From the village to the "big wide ocean"

Hung Lo commune (Viet Tri city) was once a bustling area with bustling docks and waterways, rich in culture and traditional crafts, one of which was rice noodle production. Entering the market economy with economic and technical pressures and increasingly fierce competition from large domestic and international brands, the people of Hung Lo are determined to stick with their craft, "changing their mindset and methods," maintaining quality, and gradually building reputation and competitiveness in the market. Today, Hung Lo rice noodles have reached demanding markets around the world.

The packaging process for Hung Lo rice noodles.

In the 1980s and 1990s, up to 90% of the people in Doan Ket village (now Zone 4, Hung Lo commune) were engaged in rice noodle production. However, families produced noodles spontaneously, with no guarantee of scale or quality. The quantity of noodles produced far exceeded consumer demand, leading to oversupply, affecting product quality, the village's reputation, and price competition, resulting in unstable income for those involved in the trade.

By 2004, when it was recognized as the "Doan Ket Agricultural and Food Processing Village," only a few households in the village were still trying to maintain the craft by investing in improving equipment and production processes to sell their products, continue practicing the craft, and cling to the local traditional occupation. At the end of 2016, building on the foundation of Hung Lo rice noodle production, many people had become proficient, mastered the production process, and combined their experiences with the sharing of knowledge, making it easier to expand production and create products of consistent quality. The Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative was officially established.

The new product launched by Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative is popular with many people.

Mr. Cao Dang Duy, Director of Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative, is a pioneer in researching, exploring, and applying modern equipment and machinery to production, combined with traditional recipes, to create high-quality, delicious, and high-yield rice noodles. In August 2017, Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative was granted the management and use of the Hung Lo Rice Noodle collective trademark. Over nearly 10 years of development, the cooperative has boldly invested in factories, purchased machinery and equipment, improved productivity and product quality, perfected packaging, implemented various market access solutions, and standardized quality standards such as HACCP and ISO 9001-2015. Hung Lo rice noodles are now available nationwide through retail outlets and major supermarkets such as Go!, Tops Market, BigC, Vinmart, and Coopmart. In addition, the product is sold online on e-commerce platforms for easy consumer access.

Hung Lo rice noodles on supermarket shelves in Japan.

Hung Lo rice noodles are highly appreciated by consumers for their chewy texture, delicious taste, and fragrant countryside flavor. To date, the cooperative has nearly 10 product types, including: rice noodles; pho noodles; watermelon noodles; vegetable noodles; premium gift noodle boxes; and vermicelli. Among these, three noodle products have been awarded 4-star OCOP status: Hung Lo rice noodles born from the village; Hung Lo special rice noodles; and Hung Lo special pho noodles. The cooperative has completed the application for 5-star OCOP ranking for the product "Hung Lo clean rice noodles born from the village". In 2024, the cooperative sold an average of 50-60 tons of rice noodles per month, generating revenue of over 20 billion VND per year and providing regular employment for 35 workers with an income of 6.5 million VND per person per month. Simultaneously, the cooperative also provides technical support and product buyback agreements for many noodle-producing households in the area. Thanks to its innovation and creativity, the "Hung Lo Clean Rice Noodles, Born from the Village" product was honored and received the first Mai An Tiem Award in 2024, organized by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance.

To ensure the quality and stability of input materials, the Provincial Cooperative Union has supported and guided four cooperatives in organizing rice production according to VietGAP standards, covering a total area of ​​643 hectares. Several cooperatives in the province have also signed contracts to supply rice to the Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative at a purchase price 500-700 VND/kg higher than the market price. Simultaneously, the cooperatives closely monitor all production stages according to a closed-loop production process, ensuring strict food safety and hygiene standards.

To affirm the reputation and quality of the Hung Lo Rice Noodle brand, expand the market, and enhance product value, the cooperative's leadership has proactively diversified its products, sought to expand export markets, focusing on the criteria of high-quality products at good prices, meeting relevant technical requirements, and being suitable for the culture and tastes of developed countries. They actively participate in trade promotion activities to find partners and develop international markets. In 2024, the cooperative supplied 30 tons of rice noodles for export to Japan. By January 2025, an additional 5 tons of rice noodles had been exported to Taiwan (China).

Mr. Cao Dang Duy – Director of Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative shared: In the coming time, the cooperative will register and complete the necessary permits such as EFSA, FDA, and CE. We will focus on building our brand, developing differentiated product lines such as gluten-free rice noodles, rice noodles made from organic ingredients, or noodles for dieters... building an efficient supply chain, ensuring product quality is maintained during transportation, strengthening product promotion on e-commerce platforms, and participating in international trade promotion conferences. We aim to enhance product value, establish our brand in the market, contribute to preserving and promoting traditional crafts, and improve the material and spiritual lives of cooperative members and people in Hung Lo village.

Hoang Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/mi-gao-hung-lo-tu-lang-ra-bien-lon-228056.htm