Faced with the risk of many traditional crafts disappearing, Than Khe commune has proactively developed directions and solutions to preserve and promote the value of ancient crafts. With the spirit of "preserving the craft is preserving the soul of the homeland," the people here not only preserve their cultural identity but also transform traditional crafts into a driving force for socio-economic development. Amidst modern life, the flame of traditional crafts in Than Khe continues to burn brightly, warming generations and illuminating the pride of their homeland.

Mr. Tran Van Khai, from Kenh village, is meticulous in every step of the tofu production process.

No one remembers exactly when the craft of making and processing puffed rice (cốm) in Thần Khê began. All that is known is that, since childhood, generations here have grown up to the lively sound of pestles pounding rice every autumn, and the pure aroma of young glutinous rice lingering on their mothers' hair and fathers' sleeves. Previously, making puffed rice was mainly done manually; each batch of rice had to be pounded, sifted, and roasted by hand. However, in the changing times, the people of Thần Khê have boldly innovated, introducing machinery into production to increase productivity.

We visited the family of Mr. Tran Dinh Buong in Thong Nhat village, who has been involved in this craft for over 30 years. In their spacious workshop of over 200 square meters, the rhythmic sounds of grinding, filtering, and hulling machines mingled with the sweet aroma of freshly made rice flakes, warming our hearts. Mr. Buong shared: "In the old days, when we did it manually, my family could only produce a few dozen kilograms of rice per day." But now, I have invested over 1 billion VND in modern machinery to improve production efficiency and product quality. My family processes over 2 tons of rice per day, yielding 1.2 tons of finished rice flakes, including plain and green flakes, which sell for 30,000-40,000 VND/kg. Each year, I purchase hundreds of tons of glutinous rice from local people and neighboring communes for production. Making rice flakes not only provides a stable income but is also a source of pride for the people as they preserve and develop this traditional craft.

Mr. Tran Dinh Che, from Thong Nhat village (in the middle), introduces his freshly processed rice flakes to customers.

If sticky, fragrant, and vibrant green rice flakes evoke the essence of autumn, then tofu from Kênh village offers a refreshing, sweet, and savory flavor, preserving the natural taste of soybeans. To fully appreciate the flavor and the story of the craft, we visited Kênh village on a late October morning, when mist still hung low over the rooftops. From the narrow alleys, the rhythmic sound of soybean grinding machines mingled with the steam rising from large cooking pans, creating a bustling yet familiar scene of labor. In Mr. Tran Van Khai's small kitchen, the rich aroma of tofu fills the air. Mr. Khai confided: "I've been making tofu for over 20 years. Every day, the whole family wakes up at 3 a.m. to make tofu. Everyone has a task: some soak, some grind, some cook, some mold. This profession requires patience and dedication to produce delicious tofu. The tofu from Kenh village is white, smooth, soft, yet still chewy. Each household has its own secret recipe, from how to prepare the sourdough to the molding time. Thanks to this, the tofu here has a distinctive fragrant, rich, slightly sweet, and refreshing flavor." Currently, my family produces about 200 kg of tofu per day, supplying markets in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, etc., providing a stable income of over 10 million VND per month. Making tofu is about preserving the craft passed down from our ancestors. Preserving this craft means preserving the way of life in our hometown. Ms. Mai Thi Luong from Hai Phong city shared: "Tofu from Kenh village is very delicious. Every time I go back to my hometown, I buy a few kilograms to stock up. It's not just a food item; it carries the soul of my hometown with it."

Than Khe commune is also famous for Do Ky snake cakes, Chi Lang conical hats, rattan and bamboo weaving, Do Ky sticky rice wine, etc., bringing significant income to the people. Currently, the production value from traditional craft villages accounts for up to 30% of the total production value of the entire commune, becoming an important "piece" in the socio-economic picture of the locality. Mr. Vu Xuan Quan, Head of the Economic Department of Than Khe commune, said: "We believe that preserving traditional craft villages is not only about preserving culture but also a way to develop the economy and improve the lives of the people." Therefore, the commune always closely coordinates with relevant departments and organizations to support loan access, vocational training, technology transfer, product design improvement, and finding markets for products. At the same time, it aims to build OCOP product brands, combined with the development of experiential tourism, bringing traditional craft products closer to domestic and international markets. Each product created is not only a material asset but also a source of pride for the people as it contributes to spreading the cultural values ​​of their homeland.

Through countless ups and downs and changes in time and life, generations of people in Than Khe have kept the flame of their traditional craft alive. With this craft, the lives of the people have become less difficult and more prosperous. The craft has rewarded their hard work!

Thanh Thủy

Nguồn trích dẫn: baohungyen.vn