Soft rice paper is one of the most popular foods at Tet.  Although there are many different types of rice paper, Tuy Loan’s is the most famous because of its unique method of production and its amazing flavours of garlic and ginger.

The rice paper made in Tuy Loan village in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Phong Commune is very different from similar products made in other areas.  It is dried on charcoal fires instead of being dried in the sun, which prevents any mould formation.

About 2 months ahead of the Tet Festival, the rice paper-making families in Tuy Loan start to busy themselves, increasing their production capacity in order to complete their several thousand orders.

Mrs Nguyen Thi Tri preparing rice paper

56-year-old Nguyen Thi Tri from the Tuy Loan Tay 1 village said that her present orders might not be completed until the 30^th day of the 12^th lunar month.  Therefore, she has decided not to take any more orders to ensure sufficient supplies for her existing customers.

In these days leading up to Tet, the families must wake up around 3.00am to prepare for making the rice paper by soaking the rice, making a fire, crushing ginger, and sifting sesame.  Then, they produce the rice paper continuously until 6.00pm or even 9.00pm in order to ensure delivery on time.

The rice paper producers can only start to enjoy their own Tet holiday at the earliest on the 27^th day, or at the latest on 30^th day, of the 12^th lunar month.

Apart from making rice paper for sale, many families want to continue making it to maintain their traditional craft.