Hanoi’s sticky rice cooking craft recognised as national heritage

The People’s Committee of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district has organised a sticky rice festival and a ceremony to announce the craft of cooking sticky rice in Phu Thuong village as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Representatives of Tay Ho district's authorities receive the certificate recognising the craft of cooking sticky rice in Phu Thuong village as a national intangible cultural heritage (Photo: VNA)

Phu Thuong, formally known as Ga village, is famous for its flavoursome, delicious steamed sticky rice. The craft of cooking sticky rice in the village does not have a clear origin but thanks to the water of the Hong River and its fertile silt, the village is endowed with vast fields of premium quality sticky rice - the main ingredient for its culinary specialty.

To make a delicious sticky rice dish, Phu Thuong villagers put in a great deal of effort and dedication.

Currently, there are three master artisans and around 600 households engaged in the craft in Phu Thuong. The villagers have established their brand, introduced their sticky rice in various markets, festivals and events throughout the country.

The Phu Thuong Sticky Rice Festival annually takes place for three days on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of the first lunar month, which falls on February 17, 18 and 19 this year.

During the festival, local residents hold the New Rice Ceremony, offering their homemade sticky rice dishes to the village's patron saint as a gesture of gratitude and seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest. Families also prepare che ba cot (a traditional sweet rice cake) to offer on the ancestral altar at home, expressing gratitude to their ancestors and wishing for good health and prosperity.

A sticky-rice-cooking contest and display are held afterwards, showcasing various kinds of sticky rice for visitors from all over the country to enjoy.

According to Bu Thi Lan Phuong, deputy chairwoman of the People's Committee of Tay Ho, the district has created favourable conditions to support the development of Phu Thuong village in recent years with the aim to preserve the traditional craft and improve local livelihood.

The village was officially recognised by the municipal People's Committee as the traditional sticky rice village on December 30, 2016. Phu Thuong sticky rice was selected as one of the 12 speciality dishes served at the Media Centre during the US-DPRK Summit in Hanoi in 2019.

The district has also focused on upgrading the infrastructure of the village.

“In the near future, Phu Thuong sticky rice will not only be a famous culinary delight enjoyed throughout the country, but the village will also become an attractive destination for visitors from both within and outside the country. This will contribute to improving the material and spiritual lives of the local residents," Phuong said.

“Additionally, it will actively promote the image of Tay Ho district, its captivating tourist destinations, traditional festivals, intangible cultural heritage, and culinary cultural products."/.

VNA