Efforts to keep the traditional profession alive
On the occasion of Tet, the atmosphere in Tuy Loan is still bustling. The rice paper kilns are burning day and night to serve the market in time. The work is hard, the bakers have to start at 1am with the preparation steps. From the 11th lunar month, people have to work non-stop to meet orders.
Ms. Nguyen Dang Thai Hoa, a rice paper producer in Tuy Loan Dong 2 village (Hoa Phong commune, Hoa Vang district), said that normally her family only makes small quantities, but during Tet, the demand is high so the facility increases production 3-5 times.
“Since Tuy Loan rice paper village was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, rice paper makers have had better incomes, are very happy and produce more rice paper. The local government also pays attention to supporting the promotion of rice paper brands at fairs, helping craftspeople to be determined to preserve the traditional craft village,” Ms. Hoa said.
Ms. Tran Thi Luyen (71 years old, Tuy Loan Tay 1 village, Hoa Phong commune) has more than 50 years of experience making Tuy Loan rice paper. In previous years, Ms. Luyen often had to hire more workers because rice paper production increased at the end of the year, but this year, due to poor health, she cannot make the rice paper herself.
“Since the beginning of the 11th lunar month until now, many people have ordered cakes for Tet but I am not strong enough to make them so I dare not accept. I just hope that when I am healthier, I will try to make cakes to serve people's consumption needs,” Ms. Luyen shared:
From rustic dishes to intangible heritage
According to Tuy Loan Rice Paper Cooperative, currently Tuy Loan rice paper production facilities are actively improving the size and design of their products and producing many types of rice paper to meet market demand.
Last October, the People's Committee of Hoa Vang district solemnly held a ceremony to announce the decision on the list of "National intangible cultural heritage for the craft of making Tuy Loan rice paper". The craft of making Tuy Loan rice paper has been established for a long time, associated with many cultural values and heritages of the ancient village of Tuy Loan.
Currently, in Hoa Phong commune, Hoa Vang district, there are more than 15 households that regularly maintain the traditional rice paper making profession, mainly concentrated in Tuy Loan village. Every year on the occasion of Lunar New Year, the entire Hoa Phong commune has more than 40 households participating in making rice paper to meet the demand for rice paper supply to the market.
Since 2014, the People's Committee of Hoa Vang district has directed the People's Committee of Hoa Phong commune to develop the "Project for Developing the Traditional Craft Village of Tuy Loan Rice Paper, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City". In which, attention is paid to developing production, continuing to preserve and promote the brand of Tuy Loan rice paper products, and linking the development of the traditional craft village of Tuy Loan rice paper.
Implementing the Resolution of the Standing Committee of the Hoa Vang District Party Committee on building and developing Hoa Phong commune until 2025, with a vision to 2030 and the Plan on developing traditional occupations in Hoa Vang district for the period 2022 - 2025, the People's Committee of Hoa Phong commune has developed and implemented the Plan to develop Tuy Loan rice paper making profession for the period 2022 - 2025 in the commune.
Accordingly, the locality has proposed solutions to preserve and develop the Tuy Loan rice paper making craft in Hoa Phong commune. In particular, combining the restoration and development of the rice paper making craft village with sightseeing tours and practical experiences in the village to connect experiential tourism and craft village tourism.
