Can Tho City: Thuan Hung rice paper making recognized national intangible cultural heritage

According to scientific records made by the Museum of Can Tho City, the traditional craft of rice paper making in Thuan Hung was formed around the mid-19th century and was passed down successively for generations. Initially, just a few households were involved. As the dish became more popular, other households get involved. After more than 100 years of existence and development, the profession of rice paper making in Thuan Hung still retains traditional values with profound cultural significance. Thuan Hung rice paper is made according to a “secret” technique of each household. No two have the same recipe. Each step of making rice paper wrappers requires long experience and precision.

According to statistics, the village is home to 58 rice paper making households. The village generates jobs for over 250 workers with stable incomes. In addition, there are about 30 traditional kilns waiting for the new year to produce. The busiest time of the year is the traditional Lunar New Year when the village households are busy making different kinds of flavored rice paper: plain, salted, sweetened, and coconut.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to add the traditional craft of Thuan Hung rice paper making to the list of Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage on March 6, 2023, for its unique cultural values and contribution to the development of the local tourism economy.