Tuy Loan ‘banh trang’ (rice paper) making craft in Da Nang has become a national intangible heritage, following approval made by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ms. Dang Thi Tuy Phong, 85, a rice paper making artisan in Tuy Loan Dong 2 Village, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District. Photo: X.D

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests Chairman of People's Committees at all levels where Tuy Loan rice paper making craft is practiced, within the scope of their duties and powers, to ensure the State management according to the provisions of law on cultural heritage.

With the aforementioned recognition of the Tuy Loan rice paper making profession, the number of national intangible heritages in Da Nang has increased to seven, alongside Quang land’s Tuong (classic drama) art, Marble Mountains stone carving craft, Nam O fish sauce making profession, Whale worshipping festival, ‘bai choi’ (a diverse art combining music, poetry, acting, painting and literature), ‘Quan The Am’ (Avalokiteśvara) Festival.

Famous for its hundred-year-old rice paper-making tradition, Tuy Loan craft village in Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District is a perfect place to keep intact good values left by previous generations.

After many ups and downs, Tuy Loan people still make delicious rice papers with a unique flavour that can't be found anywhere else. For the people here, rice paper is a simple but meaningful symbol, containing the culinary culture of the ancient Quang-Da people.

Tuy Loan rice paper is famous for its typical delicious flavour of rice, sesame, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, salt and sugar. Traditional techniques, secrets and experiences in making rice paper are preserved and passed down through many generations.

People participate in the Tuy Loan rice paper baking contest at Tuy Loan village communal house festival in 2024. Photo: X.D

Made completely manually, delicious Tuy Loan rice paper is an indigenous specialty favoured by visitors to the village. In addition to choosing the right varieties of rice and sesame, firewood and charcoal are very important factors needed to produce high-quality rice papers. Only quality firewood and coal can maintain the temperature of the stove. It takes about 3 to 5 minutes to produce a two-layer rice paper, during which artisans has to measure the amount of rice flour, the time needed based on their seasoned experience so the cake is thick enough and evenly round.

Currently, this traditional craft is still maintained by artisans. Currently, in Hoa Phong Commune, there are still about 15 households maintaining this time-honoured craft, concentrated mainly in Tuy Loan village.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by A.THU