Contribute to preserving and promoting traditional crafts

As usual, Mr. Nguyen Cong Bong (born in 1990, in Phu Thuong ward, Tay Ho district) was present at the sticky rice selling point at around 5 am. We saw a young man with his hands quickly wrapping each handful of sticky rice, full of energy and his mouth constantly greeting customers.

Mr. Bong said that more than 11 years ago, he decided to switch to the profession of cooking sticky rice to sell every day following his family's tradition, even though he already had a stable job in the IT industry.

According to Mr. Bong, the sticky rice cooking profession in Phu Thuong village is unknown since when, but his family alone has been through 4 generations, and he is the 5th generation, which is nearly 50 years. Although the sticky rice cooking profession is very hard, the results are very proud because it is enthusiastically received by customers.

Phu Thuong sticky rice has become famous far and wide, since then sticky rice cooks in the village are always aware of quality to be competitive, contributing to preserving the traditional features of the village.

"Currently, Phu Thuong sticky rice is available in many places, not just around Hanoi, so I am trying my best to research and learn from other traditional products that have been exported. Not only does it help increase the economic value but it also helps the traditional beauty of Phu Thuong sticky rice reach out to the world," Mr. Bong added.

Phu Thuong sticky rice has many different flavors, which is also the change in breakfast of Mrs. Tran Kim Hoa in Yen Hoa, Cau Giay. Mrs. Hoa said that the delicious and sweet taste of Phu Thuong sticky rice is completely different from sticky rice from other places. Especially, in the morning when buying Phu Thuong sticky rice to bring home and leave it until afternoon and evening, it still does not spoil.

"As society develops, I hope Phu Thuong sticky rice village will continue to exist and have new ways of making it, so that the once famous sticky rice product will be preserved for thousands of years to come," Ms. Hoa added.

Promoting intangible cultural values ​​to reach the world

Talking to Lao Dong, Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Linh - Vice Chairman of Phu Thuong Ward People's Committee, Tay Ho District said that in the ward, there are currently about 600 households cooking sticky rice. Recently, the Ward People's Committee has coordinated with the Social Policy Bank to support preferential loans for sticky rice cooking households, especially young people starting businesses and developing local traditional occupations.

Cooperate with Tay Ho Electricity Company to provide electricity at a single price to support sticky rice cooking households. Organize sessions to share experiences and knowledge of sticky rice cooking from artisans of the craft village to sticky rice cooking households in the area. Provide free stamps, labels, and brand identification for products of Phu Thuong traditional sticky rice craft village.

"In addition to Bong, sticky rice cooking households in the ward are also trying to research and find new ways to make sticky rice to be able to export it abroad," Ms. Linh added.

Mr. Tran Gia Hung - Head of Tay Ho District Economic Department said that currently in the district there are 36 OCOP products from 3 to 4 stars, of which Phu Thuong sticky rice product has achieved 4 stars since 2020.

According to Mr. Hung, as a typical local product, any activity or festival taking place in the district will use or display sticky rice products to introduce to many people.

In 2024, Phu Thuong sticky rice will be recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is the pride of Phu Thuong people in particular and Tay Ho people in general, and it is also everyone's responsibility to preserve and promote it.

"Currently, the Economic Department and Phu Thuong Ward regularly organize study tours and research to make Phu Thuong sticky rice have new breakthroughs but still maintain traditional features, from which the consumer market can reach out to the world," Mr. Hung added.