The profession of making Uoc Le ham is believed to have existed since the Mac Dynasty (1527-1592). According to legend, a monk in the royal court who was a Uoc Le villager returned to his hometown to build a village gate and teach the people how to make pigs and spring rolls.
Over the years, pigs and sausages have not only become a dish but also a cultural symbol of the craft village. The name "Uoc Le" has become a brand "natural scented fruit", following the footsteps of people far from home spreading to all provinces and cities across the country.
Currently, the local people not only maintain traditional crafts with a history of up to 500 years but also strive to recreate traditional rituals, the experience space attracts tourists.
This year's Uoc Village Traditional Festival takes place from April 7 to 9, with the cross-alley ceremony, commemorating heroic martyrs... every 5 years the village holds a ceremony once, so people prepare more solemn offerings, a total of more than 200kg of pigs, ham...
More than 50 people from young to old all built cinnamon cakes weighing more than 100kg, steamed pork rolls, fat cakes... to offer and fee the Thanh Kyeu.
Visiting the ceremony on time for the festival, Zya Ribouchon, a French tourist, and his family were invited by the villagers to experience pounding pigs with wooden plowers and enjoying the traditional pig-shaped specialty.
"Traditional jobs are no longer present in France. Rarely is there a place that still preserves the traditional profession like this village. I tried pig brushing, it was really interesting. But after only a few beats, I get tired," the female tourist shared.
Zya and her family of 6 had the opportunity to cycle around the village, admiring the ancient architectural houses of the Northern countryside in Uoc Le. "I will tell my friends and relatives about this village. This place has a unique history, culture and cuisine," she said.
Not only international visitors enjoy traditional activities during the village festival, but Vietnamese visitors are also excited to experience them.
Ms. Dang Thi Hao, from Binh Duong, who visited the village during the traditional festival, said that although she is a child of Uoc Le village, this is the first time she has experienced hand-carved pig fighting.
Hearing the sound of the tree plow, Ms. Thao recalled the memories of the old days: "This reminds the next generation to understand the profession of their ancestors, carving traditional heart".
She said that her friends really like Uoc Le piggy bank and want to visit the village to feel the festive atmosphere and learn about traditional crafts.
Mr. Dang Hong Son - representative of the organizing committee of the traditional Uoc Le village festival, said: "Uoc Le craft village is building experiences for tourists to both learn about traditional crafts, cuisine, and experience tourism, associated with spirituality".
Possessing historical relics such as Uoc Le Communal House, 500-year-old Book Pagoda... along with unique culture and traditions, Uoc Le craft village is an attractive destination in the capital. Tourists visiting the village to enjoy the scenery can experience roasting pigs, processing ham, enjoying local cuisine with the locals...
According to Mr. Son, Uoc Le village is oriented to develop tourism with the support of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, tourism and travel businesses.
Currently, some households in Uoc Le have welcomed guests to experience hand-picking pigs, learn about traditional crafts, and visit historical sites in the village.
pig-making artist Nguyen Viet Minh (65 years old) said that every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday he comes to the village to guide groups of tourists and groups of students from schools to experience manual pig-making.
"I hope that tourists will know the typical culture of Uoc Le village, see the tradition and the elaborateness of the process of making handmade ham," said Mr. Minh.
In 2023, Uoc Le piglet was protected by the Intellectual Property Office (Ministry of Science and Technology) with a collective trademark, creating an opportunity for Uoc Le piglet to raise its brand and affirm the value of craft village products.
After receiving the collective brand, Gio cha Uoc Cerem Cooperative coordinated with management agencies, businesses... to open a new direction in local economic development, building craft villages into attractive tourist destinations.
