Attached to the profession, income doubles
In the days leading up to Tet, at the Cu Lao May rice paper making village (Luc Si Thanh commune, Vinh Long province), the production atmosphere is always busy. From 5 am, many rice paper making stoves are already on fire, with thick steam, people quickly perform each stage of making, removing, and drying rice paper.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong has been attached to the rice paper making profession for more than 20 years every Tet holiday. When she returned to her husband's house, she was taught every technique by her mother-in-law. From that handicraft job, she saved up to raise her children to study, and now her children have entered university.
On normal days, I only work one session, from 6 am to about 10 am. During Tet, I work from 5 am to about 5 pm to meet orders," Ms. Huong shared.
According to her, on normal days the income is about 100 - 150 thousand VND/day. In the peak season, the income increases to about 300 thousand VND/day, almost double compared to normal. Although the working hours last all day, the additional money helps her family be more proactive in spending and preparing for Tet.
Working at the facility together, Ms. Nguyen Thai Hoa said that this year orders arrived early. Since the beginning of December, many households have increased capacity, recruited more seasonal workers to deliver goods in time. "It's harder but everyone is excited because income has increased significantly. Doing it evenly, the wage increases double compared to normal days," Ms. Hoa said.
According to Ms. Hoa, many elderly workers in the commune also take advantage of working extra for the last 1-2 months of the year to have savings, cover living expenses and celebrate Tet more fully.
71 households are on fire, output increases by 30–50%
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Kiem - owner of a cake production facility in Cu Lao May - said that Tet is the strongest consumption time of the year. In addition to traditional rice paper, the facility also produces dipped cakes, cakes, and cakes with sesame to serve the diverse needs of the market.
Customers during Tet prefer instant cakes, sesame cakes, and sweet cakes to treat guests, so we have to prepare ingredients early and work overtime from the beginning of December," Mr. Kiem said.
According to him, the output at the facility increased by about 30–50% compared to normal days. Cakes are supplied to many provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region and some neighboring localities. Thanks to increased orders, the facility has to hire more seasonal workers, creating continuous jobs throughout the peak season.
Mr. Luong Van Thong - Director of Cu Lao May Rice Paper Cooperative - said that the cooperative currently has 14 members. The entire Cu Lao May craft village has 71 rice paper production households operating regularly.
During Tet, most households operate at full capacity. The overall output of the craft village increases by 30–50% compared to normal days," Mr. Thong said.
According to Mr. Thong, maintaining product quality and keeping the traditional flavor is an important factor helping Cu Lao May rice paper maintain its market. Each Tet season, increased orders not only help establishments increase revenue but also create more jobs and improve income for local workers.
The yards are full of white and golden cakes drying under the year-end sunshine. The hustle and bustle of labor lasting throughout the peak season not only brings double income to many workers but also contributes to preserving the traditional craft of the islet region in the middle of the Hau River.
